As the U.S. Open's advent nears, the mystery of how the tournament will play out continues to grow.
Chambers Bay, the gravel-quarry-turned-golf-course, has never before hosted a PGA Tournament, let alone a major.
The complexion of the course is unique, mixing dunes with sloping pitches, and new design ramifications could drive golfers up the wall rather than up the fairway.
The weekend has the potential to become an instant classic, and, given the ambiguity of the course, any golfer could walk away with a substantial portion of the $9-million purse.
Here are three golfers to watch:
Phil Mickelson
Although there's lots of golf left in his career, the time for Lefty to win the sixth major championship of his career - and first U.S. Open - could be now. He finished tied for third at the St. Jude Classic last week, and has three top-five finishes in his last five tournaments, including a second-place finish at the Masters. The chance to become one of history's elite in the sport is as good an incentive as any, but Mickelson's momentum entering the tournament could be enough to get him a win.
Rickie Fowler
The Murrieta, Calif., native seems to do his best on the biggest stages - finishing in the top five in each of 2014's four major tournaments - and this year's U.S. Open could reinforce that reputation. Fowler was in the hunt at this year's Masters, finishing tied for 12th, and won the Players in May. Last season, he finished second at the Open, and, if it wasn't for an unbelievable weekend from Martin Kaymer, he could have very well won. Look for Fowler to push for a victory this weekend, and secure his first major win.
Jason Day
Jason Day's U.S. Open title pursuit spans five years, and includes three top-10 finishes. Twice he's ended up second - in 2011 and 2013 - so it's hard to believe he won't, at the very least, be in the discussion come Sunday. The Australian's short game is his forte, which fits Chambers Bay's layout well. Day plays his best golf at the U.S. Open every two years, which means he could be in line to win the title he's been so close to capturing.
