The odds once again favor Tiger Woods as the golf world gets ready for the 2012 U.S. Open, its second major tournament of the year. The Olympic Club, the San Francisco course where the tournament takes place this year, is an unforgiving place, and Woods the favorite could quickly turn to Woods the disappointment.
SB Nation's Brian Floyd is on the scene in the Bay Area with an assessment of things on the course.
But the real winner may be the golf course, which is well on its way to standing over a trembling field, posing in celebration having conquered the world's best.
The course mandates that Woods, and any other player, is on top of their game, hitting the ball as well as they have ever hit it. As for Woods, here is Floyd's assessment:
There's no question Woods is the favorite, but he was at The Masters, too. And we all saw what happened. If he's striking the ball well -- and he's been pretty good during his practice rounds -- watch out. If he's fighting his swing, his week will spiral out of control in a hurry. The Olympic Course is too punishing for his swing to be even just a bit off.
Woods tees off at 7:33 a.m. on Thursday morning, paired with Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson.
For all your news and updates in the run up to the 2012 U.S. Open at Olympic, visit SB Nation's dedicated golf hub. Be sure to head over to USOpen.com for even more coverage from the event.