In many ways, it has been a typical build-up to the US Open. First of all, there has been a lot of fear-mongering by the USGA over the difficulty of the course. USGA chief Mike Davis contends that the ‘idea of coming in and playing two practice rounds and just walking it and using your yardage book, that person is done and they will not win the U.S. Open.’

Secondly, there have been complaints by a number of players over the condition of the course, Ryan Palmer and Ian Poulter were among the most vocal critics. Yet it is rare that the players like a set-up that the USGA actively prepares in order to test the world’s best to the very limit of the patience. Thirdly, Tiger Woods unsurpisingly let everyone know that he comes here to win no matter what state his swing, body or mind is in. And finally, it wouldn’t be a US Open without a bit of pre-tournament Phil Mickelson talk.

Just like what will be the case for Rory McIlroy in every future Masters tournament until he completes the career Grand Slam, Lefty’s lack of a US Open victory is a gaping hole on his otherwise impressive resume. To make matters worse, it is in the American Mickelson’s national championship. His first second place finish was in 1999, when a ten year-old Rory McIlroy would have been more concerned with playing his Gameboy than watching a demanding US Open grind on television. That year a more youthful Mickelson was edged out by the late Payne Stewart. In the meantime, he has been second place a further five more times in the US Open. Overall, Mickelson has six 2nds, eight top 5s and ten top 10s in the event To say that he’s due a win in this tournament is an understatement. Mickelson, despite showing no consistency on the regular tour circuit for a couple of years, has actually finished second in the last two majors as well.

It is strange to call a five-time major champion a nearly man but in reality Mickelson should be on at least seven or eight major titles, level with legends like Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson. He would go a long way to cementing his legacy as a great of the game with a win this week. One thing is for sure, he will not do it the easy way. That has never been the style of Phil Mickelson. ‘Phil the Thrill’, as he is affectionately called, has both wowed and frustrated fans with his gung-ho attitude on the course. At 45-years old, he may not have many chances left to win his most coveted major.

Phil’s imaginative recovery and variety of shots around the greens should bring him far this week on a course that is full of humps and hollows akin to links golf. Royal Portrush native Graeme McDowell described Chambers Bay ‘as pure links golf as I have ever seen on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.’ That would suggest that the course will suit a links specialist so Europeans should do well this year. The course is still very long and can play anywhere from 7,600 to 7,900 yards but the run on the ball should mean that approach shots will be the most difficult.

Outside of Mickelson, it is tough to call who will contend. The course is a bit of a wildcard because the course near Seattle, Washington only opened eight years ago and no one in the field has played in a professional event there. Experience is limited to the 2010 US Amateur Champion so course knowledge will be in favour of some of the younger players. BMW PGA Champion Byeung-Hun An progressed the furthest of all competitors this week in that event, losing in the semi-finals, so the impressive young player may be worth an outside bet this week. Others that played in the event that year include Patrick Reed, who shot a sub-70 round to make it into the latter stages and Jordan Spieth who shot a sub-80 round to miss the cut.

However, it must also be noted that Spieth was only just turned seventeen at the time of the event. Spieth can also rely on knowledge from his caddy, who is a former member of Chambers Bay, which has been cited as an advantage over the field for the Masters Champion. As always, you can never rule out Rory McIlroy if he plays his best golf and the likes of Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler should be in with a shot. But all eyes will be on Phil Mickelson as the sentimental favourite tries to end his US Open curse.