U.S. Open preview

The 114th U.S. Open
Pinehurst Resort and Country Club (Course No. 2), Pinehurst, North Carolina
Yardage: 7,562 (Par 70)

It is time for the second major of the season, with the U.S. Open beginning tomorrow.  Pinehurst No. 2 has staged two previous U.S. Opens, 1999 and 2005, but a redesign in 2011 by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore has seen it transformed back to its original design by Donald Ross in 1907.  The word "native area" will be used quite a bit this week, but it is much easier to hit out of than usual U.S. Open-style rough.  Some 200-300 yards have been added since 2005, but the course is supposed to play firm and fast, although rain is expected over the next four days.  The course will play almost like a links course, but with the greens being so firm, it will be very beneficial to hit the fairways and aim for the middle of the greens (as usual in U.S. Opens).

Phil Mickelson, a six-time runner-up in this event, would be the fairytale winner.  However, "Lefty's" game heading into the U.S. Open has not been Phil-esque.  With only one worldwide top-10 in 2014, the five-time major champion will need to improve his putting if he is to complete the major grand slam this week.

From a European Tour perspective, Rory McIlroy has to be the favorite.  He won the BMW PGA Championship just three weeks ago and his game has been trending upwards for quite some time.  The Northern Irishman will become an even greater favorite if rain ends up falling, which would make the course play longer.  In today's press conference, he said that he is really enjoying his golf, a pleasant comment following his breakup with fiancée Caroline Wozniacki three weeks ago.  Look for the two-time major champion to remain in the mix throughout the week.

Of course, Englishman Justin Rose defends the title after winning last year at Merion.  Rose's play this season has been good enough to deliver wins, but he has not been able to get over the line.  You just have to wonder if being defending champion will prove to be too much to handle.  However, I highly doubt this.  I expect Rose to be in contention when he comes to the back nine on Sunday.

Other European hopefuls include Graeme McDowell (2010 winner), who's game is tailor-made for U.S. Opens; Henrik Stenson, who looks poised to win a major very soon; Martin Kaymer, the Players Championship winner on the PGA Tour; and Lee Westwood, who seems to always be in contention on the back nine on Sunday of a major.  Sleepers include Stephen Gallacher, Paul Casey, and Joost Luiten, and Francesco Molinari.              

Get ready to see plenty of pars and bogeys this week, but there will certainly be a worthy winner come Sunday evening.