This week marks the five-year anniversary of Tiger Woods's last major championship but that has not stopped fans from assuming he is the man to beat at the US Open. Steve Elling highlights five players he believes could sidetrack Woods.
1) Dustin Johnson, USA
His most notable US Open pedigree is that he blew the 54-hole lead three years ago at Pebble Beach. While the 28 year old has won this year in the States, he has generated more attention lately for his relationship with retired ice hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s media-savvy daughter, Paulina.
2) Matt Kuchar, USA
The Florida native is hardly under the radar anymore, not with three big wins over the past 14 months. Kuchar, at 34, is clearly in his prime and has the tools required to win a major championship. He has been in the mix at the PGA Championship and Masters in the past and stands a career-best No 4 in the world.
3) Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland
McDowell won the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2010 and was runner-up last year. Remarkably, he and countryman Rory McIlroy are the lone Europeans to have won the US national championship since 1970. McDowell already has two victories this season.
4) Jason Day, Australia
It has not been the most consistent stretch since he nearly won the Masters two years ago at Augusta, but Day, 25, has proven - albeit intermittently - that like Adam Scott, winner of this year’s Masters, that he is an Australian capable of winning majors, too.
5) Matteo Manassero, Italy
Only 20, the finesse player leads the European Tour in earnings and claimed the flagship tournament at Wentworth last month. He is hardly a bomber, which should work to his advantage. “I have been told my game sets up well for Merion,” he said. We are about to find out.
