U.S. Open by the numbers
Golf's greatest test of skill revisits the greatest test of crowd control when the U.S. Open returns to Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. Bethpage hosted the 2002 U.S. Open, which featured plenty of Sergio Garcia heckling, a runner-up finish by Phil Mickelson and a winner that shouldn't surprise anyone. Tiger Woods' 3-shot victory sealed his eighth career major. He has won 14 major championships.
2008 U.S. Open recap: Tiger's battle with 45-year old Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines in San Diego was a battle for the ages. Woods needed 19 extra holes to finally edge Mediate and capture the trophy despite playing on such a badly injured left knee that he underwent season-ending reconstructive surgery within days of his amazing triumph.
Bethpage Black by the numbers
Yardage: 7,445; Par: 70
History lesson: In 2002, Bethpage Black became the first publicly owned and operated course to host the U.S. Open.
Tiger beat
The 2009 Masters was Woods' first major since his return from surgery, and he didn't appear to be at full strength. Woods has hit more fairways in regulation the last few events and he can putt lights-out on fast greens - not a good recipe for the rest of the field. Woods is coming off a victory at Jack Nicklaus' Memorial tournament. Bethpage Black and Woods get along pretty well, and according to vegasinsider.com, he is a 5-2 favorite to win.
Players to watch not named Tiger
Angel Cabrera: The reigning Masters champion could ride his Augusta victory to success Bethpage. He keeps his cool when it matters most and could be able to shrug off some of the hype.
Geoff Ogilvy: The 2006 U.S. Open winner, Ogilvy hasn't missed a cut this season, has a pair of victories, is the money leader and leads the PGA Tour in birdies per round.
Zach Johnson: He's also won twice this year and holds the top spot in the FedEx Cup standings. What Johnson lacks in distance he makes up for in every other aspect of his game.
Phil Mickelson: A few weeks ago that Lefty's wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. New York loves Mickelson and will be pulling hard for him this week.
Kenny Perry: The world watched as Perry bogeyed 17 and 18 at Augusta, allowing Cabrera to win the Masters in a playoff. At 48 years old, how many more shots does Perry have at a major title?
Rocco Mediate: He fought as hard as he could in 2008, but like many before him, he fell to the Woods mystique.
Euro value
It has been 39 years since a European has won the US Open. The last was Tony Jacklin at Hazeltine in 1970. The drought could end, as Europe features a powerful contingent that includes Paul Casey, Graeme McDowell, Henrik Stenson and Ross Fisher.
Paddy, where have you gone?
Padraig Harrington was the most dominant player in 2008. After winning the British Open in '07, he repeated last year and added the PGA Championship to his resume. A different story this year, Paddy hasn't cracked the top 10 in any of the 12 PGA Tour events he has played.
Local flavor
Luke Donald: A Northwestern alumnus, Donald is having a solid 2009. It appears that his wrist injury is long forgotten and he's concentrating on getting back to form.
Kyle Peterman: A soon-to-be senior at Western Illinois, Peterman is what the U.S. Open is all about. He won on a qualifier at Stonewall Orchard in Grayslake with his father as his caddie and claimed a coveted spot in the tournament.
- Todd Mrowice