The one legged golfer and the chasing pack

The US Open has proved to be the least fruitful of the four majors for Tiger over his career - by his standards, at least - he's only won it twice. The last of his wins came in 2002, and when you consider that last year, Tiger was ranked 152nd for driving accuracy, and 12th for driving distance, it's hardly suprising. Traditionally, the organisers of the US Open have saught to offer the most severe test in golf - any winner of the tournament has to be able to drive long, and drive straight.

In his favour, Tiger has proved to be pretty formidable at Torrey Pines - the setting for this year's US Open. So far, he's won five times there in his career, and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise if he made it six this week. However, he's not played a competitive round for two months as a result of a knee operation shortly after the Masters, and, whilst the brave face he's employed in the build up suggests it won't affect him, the occassional grimaces and winces that donned his face throughout his first round 72 today (+1 over par) suggest otherwise.

Tiger's is playing with Phil Mickleson for the first two rounds - he who blew up so emphatically on the 72nd hole at Winged Foot, when he could have practically putted up the fairway and won - and he who is the local boy with the local knowledge this year. He's begun with a level par 71.

One interesting fact is that the non-US players seem to be getting the hang of the US Open these days - from having four non-US winners between 1970 & 2000, we've had four in the last four years, so don't bet against one of the European Tour stalwarts giving it a good crack - both Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington have been in fine form in recent weeks.

But it's still all about Tiger looking for his 15th major win - and despite playing on one leg and not being the most accurate, or longest of drivers, I wouldn't be surprised if he won again. Little-known American Justin Hicks is having his day in the sun at the minute, leading on -3, so Tiger's four behind, but he's never been fast out of the blocks on the first day anyway. That's plenty close enough for him.

And by the way - doesn't the course look absolutely phenomenal?