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On the beautiful shore of the Monterey peninsula in California is a golf course that hugs the rugged shoreline, with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean to one side and the mountains on the other. The course at Pebble Beach is considered one of most beautiful patches of greens and fairways. The gentle pursuit of putting holes, with the aid of drivers and irons, woods and wedges will consume the attention of the finest golfers on the planet over the course of this exciting weekend. At stake is one of the four most valued trophies in golf alongside the small matter of $1.35 million in prize money. The 110th US Open is back at the fabled course for a fifth time.

It was only at the turn of the millennium when Tiger Woods played two of the most breathtaking rounds of golf ever to swamp the field in a wave of ruthless excellence to decimate his opponents by an unthinkable, unprecedented 15 strokes - the highest margin ever in the majors. Among those memories is his unforgettable 7-iron from the deep rough of the 6th hole - a precision shot that sailed 210 feet over the ocean and a cypress tree to reach within 15 feet near the pin. It was Tiger's second shot on a par 5 hole that set up the conversation for what turned into an historic weekend of dominance.

But that was then, cut to the present and probably for the first time in recent memory, Tiger is not an overwhelming favourite going into a major tournament. But then you can never write off the chances of the colossal giant of golf, his 14 majors a testimony to his innate talent and ability pull out all stops at the events that really matter. However, the travails of the great man have left every golfer worth his club wondering aloud about the possibility of his chances as the players prepare for what is going to be a tough challenge for parity on the 7,040 yard - par 71 course. The greens are guarded by some of the thickest rough, water hazards line the course and with 90 odd bunkers there is hardly any dearth of sand. It is a treacherous course that challenges the best to pull out all the stops just to keep from losing their pants.

The South African Ernie Els is among the early bets having recently won two golf tournaments of note - the WGCA and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The Big Easy used to be on the trail of Tiger a few years ago before losing fizz under self inflicted pressure to fall a step or two. His recent form suggests that he is making amends. He is a two time US Open champion and he also finished tied second at that memorable Tiger's US Open ten years ago at Pebble Beach.

Then there is the man everyone likes to call the best golfer to have never won a major, a painful inheritance from the famous leftie Phil Mickelson. But then they said that about Phil too and he has won four times now at the marquee events. Westwood has broken a duck last week when he won in Memphis, his first win on the US PGA Tour since 1998. His form bodes well for this week, besides the fact that he has finished within the top three in his last three majors.

"The main challenge is fulfilling my own expectations," Westwood said "especially over the last couple of years, I've been putting myself in a position to win a major and feel like I ought to be expected to win a major now."

Phil Mickelson has a great chance to usurp the top ranking from the clutches of Tiger this week. If the big leftie can pitch himself into the top three, with Tiger finishing outside the top twenty, the four time major winner will be ranked number one. But the no.1 ranking will be secondary to ending his run of finishing the runner-up 5-times at the US Open.

The defending champion Lucas Glover got so accustomed to the US Open Trophy in his cabinet, he was shocked to see it missing recently when he returned home from a tournament. His wife had to return it to the USGA officials upon request. If his current form is any indication, he may have to just get used to not having it anymore. Glover's triumph at the 2009 Open gave the 30-year old a much needed fillip but has since dropped to 21 on the PGA Tour rankings list. He will be encouraged though by his recent spike in form, Glover finished third at The Players Championship in May.

Whoever wins will have to play out of their skin, the course is a constant conversation with peril, either in the form of the water from the ocean or the graduated rough. The greens are among the narrowest, often measuring half the average of the other courses that host the US Open. That makes driving accuracy and length, two of the most important factors that determine a golfer's success this week.

Each of the eighteen holes present a unique challenge on this course, but the most feared are the ninth (505yds) and tenth holes (495yds), fondly termed the twin terrors. They are par four demons that require great balance and control, as both flow downhill and the northwest winds are normally helping the ball along to make matters worse.

On Sunday a worthy champion will inherit the mantle donned by such illuminating stars as Jack Nicklaus (1972), Tom Watson (1982), Tom Kite (1992) and of course Tiger Woods (2000). Pebble Beach isn't for the ordinary folks, so that much is guaranteed. So make yourself a nice drink and settle down for a strapping weekend of awe inspiring golf.

Past Champions

2009 - Lucas Glover, Bethpage State Park, Black Course 276 (-4)
2008 - Tiger Woods, Torrey Pines Golf Course, South Course 283 (-1)
2007 - Ángel Cabrera, Oakmont Country Club 285 (+5)
2006 - Geoff Ogilvy, Winged Foot Golf Club, West Course 285 (+5)
2005 - Michael Campbell, Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2 280 (E)
2004 - Retief Goosen, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club 276 (-4)
2003 - Jim Furyk, Olympia Fields Country Club, North Course 272 (-8)
2002 - Tiger Woods, Bethpage State Park, Black Course 277 (-3)
2001 - Retief Goosen, Southern Hills Country Club 276 (-4)
2000 - Tiger Woods, Pebble Beach Golf Links 272 (-12)

File Photograph Copyright: Jim Epler

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