The 32-year-old will be looking to secure his second major triumph having won his first at last month’s US Open at the Oakmont Country Club in Philadelphia.

He will have to improve on his performance at The Open Championship in Royal Troon earlier this month, however, having finished tied for ninth place after going into the event as joint favourite.

Johnson’s strongest challenge is expected to come from world number one and defending champion Jason Day of Australia and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, the winner of the event in 2012 and 2014.

McIlroy, who has now gone seven major championships without a victory, said a win would turn a "B-" campaign into an "A+" one.

"I'd love to sit here and say I'm going to win a major every year," the 27-year-old told BBC Sport.

"I could retire at 40 and be very happy.

"There's no reason to think I can't do that for the foreseeable future.

"I have to play my best golf, but I definitely think it's attainable."

British Open champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden is also one to watch fresh from his maiden major win, while runner-up Phil Mickelson will be out to repeat his success from 2005 when the US PGA Championship was last held at Baltusrol.  

Also likely to be in contention to win is American Jordan Spieth, the world number three, who is aiming to add to his major triumphs at last year's Masters and US Open.

Reigning Masters champion Danny Willett of England is an outsider but believes the current depth of talent in golf means "anyone" could win.

The last four majors have gone the way of first-time winners, including Willett's triumph at Augusta National in April.

Stenson's victory at The Open earlier this month followed major breakthroughs for Willett, Johnson and Day.

"The winners that you've got this year just go to show that it's been so varied," said Willett, the world number nine.  

"It shows the strength and depth throughout golf at the moment."