Golf: True test for world's best

Twice champion Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh fancy their chances but the treacherous Pinehurst No 2 golf course will have the final say at this week's US Open.

The equal-longest layout in the tournament's history at 7214 yards (6596m), the par-70 design by Donald Ross is renowned for its inverted-saucer greens which, after a fortnight of high heat and humidity, will test the 156-strong field to the limit.

"I think this is the hardest US golf course I've played from tee to green and around the greens," world No 2 Singh told a news conference yesterday as he prepared for tomorrow's opening round.

"It's going to be one hell of a test."

US Masters champion Woods, bidding this week to match Ben Hogan as the only player to win the first two majors of the year on two occasions, agreed.

"Putting the ball in play is going to be at a premium and getting the ball to the green is not an easy task," said the 29-year-old American, who won the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2000 and again at Bethpage Black in 2002.

Woods tied for third when the US Open was last held at Pinehurst in 1999. He believes this week's tournament will provide a much stronger challenge.

"The golf course is playing a little bit more difficult this year with the rough," said the world No 1.

"It seems like it's higher, thicker and the ball seems to be settling down in the bottom every single time.

"Unfortunately it's going to require a little bit of luck this week and see what kind of bounces you get," added Woods, who won the ninth major title of his career two months ago by edging out compatriot Chris DiMarco at the first extra hole.

Woods is looking forward to Pinehurst's challenge.

"I feel very good," he said.

"I like my chances and I'm excited about this opportunity this week.

"I've been playing well and this entire year has been a process, an evolution of getting better."

The other three members of golf's so-called "Big Four" were also in upbeat mood.

Three-times major winner Singh said: "I'm feeling good. I've been driving the ball beautifully, my iron shots have been good and I'm actually playing really good.

"I like my chances here, but I have to play well. You've got to do everything well this week."

World No 3 Ernie Els, US Open champion in 1994 and 1997, feels he is on the brink of playing at his best.

"My game is pretty close to really where I want it to be," said the smooth-swinging South African.

"I've just got to be patient. I was patient enough last week and I think good things will come," he added, referring to his tie for seventh at the Booz Allen Classic on Sunday.

Phil Mickelson, who ended a 12-year wait for his first major title with a one-shot victory over Els at last year's US Masters, will not publicly say it but probably feels he is owed a US Open.

The American left-hander has three times finished runner-up in the second major of the year, the first of those coming at Pinehurst in 1999.

"The US Open has been a tournament that I've played very well in the past and had some good chances to win," he said.

"It's a very special place for me here and it's fun to get back," added Mickelson, who lost out by a shot to the late Payne Stewart in 1999.

"Big Four" apart, defending champion and twice winner Retief Goosen, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Australia's Adam Scott and British Ryder Cup player Luke Donald have all been tipped as likely winners this week.

Whoever does triumph though, will have displayed nerve and patience, struck the ball with accuracy, putted with inspiration and, most important of all, targeted the correct areas on the notorious dome-shaped greens.

Pinehurst has been lengthened by 85m since the 1999 US Open, drawing it level with the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in 2002 as the longest layout in the tournament's history.

Us Open champions
(US unless stated)

Retief Goosen (South Africa)

2003 Jim Furyk

2002 Tiger Woods

2001 Goosen

2000 Woods

1999 Payne Stewart

1998 Lee Janzen

1997 Ernie Els (South Africa)

1996 Steve Jones

1995 Corey Pavin

1994 Els

1993 Janzen

1992 Tom Kite

1991 Stewart

1990 Hale Irwin

1989 Curtis Strange

1988 Strange

1987 Scott Simpson

1986 Ray Floyd

1985 Andy North

1984 Fuzzy Zoeller

1983 Larry Nelson

- REUTERS