The United States Open golf championship is one of the most prized events each year on the PGA Tour. While the world's best come from different parts of the globe, the U.S. Open is at the top of every pro players list because it presents the ultimate challenge. The winning score at the Open usually floats around the Even par mark since course designers like to lengthen their respective courses, thicken the rough and speed up the greens to a point that humanizes the game's finest talent.
This year's tournament will be played at the famed Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and while the course lacks the usual Open length, there is still a plethora of obstacles each of the 156 players entering the field will have to overcome if they want to hoist the highly coveted championship trophy.
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When and Where to Watch Rounds 1 and 2
Live First Round television coverage of the 113th United States Open will begin on Thursday, June 13 at 9:00 a.m., EDT on the ESPN Network. Coverage will switch to the NBC network at 3:00 p.m., EDT before switching back over to ESPN at 5:00 p.m., EDT.
For those choosing to watch the opening round on-line, USOpen.com will begin their live stream at 7:11 a.m., EDT where they'll showcase the feature group of Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Keegan Bradley while keeping fans up to date with other scores throughout the morning. A second live stream beginning at 1:14 p.m., EDT will follow the group of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott.
ESPN will continue Day 2 coverage from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday before coverage shifts to NBC until 5:00 p.m.. ESPN will close the day's coverage from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. once again as well.
Live streams will be available at 7:44 a.m. and 12:41 p.m. as the same two groups will be featured, with the Woods, McIlroy and Scott threesome beginning the morning live stream coverage.
Players to Watch - Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods has already won four times this season, including a win at The Players Championship where he held off strong competition to win the tournament for only the second time in his career. Once again at the peak of his game, the 37-year-old continues his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus's all-time mark of 18 Major Championship victories. A win this week would give Woods his 15th major title and first since defeating Rocco Mediate in a playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open. In addition to his 2008 triumph, Tiger won the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2002.
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Graeme McDowell
With two victories in his last four starts, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell arrives at Merion feeling great about the state of his golf game. The 2010 U.S. Open champion is a tremendous driver of the golf ball - especially when it comes to hitting fairways -- a skill he'll need to possess this week as the U.S. Open rough is expected to be long and extra thick since recent weather reports indicate a strong chance for rain throughout the event. If McDowell plays his way into contention entering the weekend, don't be surprised if the Irishman hoists the trophy for a second time.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson was a late arrival to Merion since he was attending his daughter's eighth grade graduation earlier in the week. Finishing in second place at the Open a record five times, the fact that the course will be wet and significantly shorter in length should help the 42-year-old four-time major champion. Second place finishes in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009 clearly indicate that Mickelson can perform well at this notoriously difficult event and if he's able to keep the ball in the fairway and convert putts inside 10 feet on a consistent basis, Phil Mickelson may finally be able to win the trophy he cherishes the most.
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Adam Scott
Breaking into the Major Championship winner's circle with his playoff victory over Angel Cabrera at this year's Masters Championship, Adam Scott is poised to continue a memorable season. Playing in what will be his eighth event this year, the 32-year-old native of Adelaide, Australia possess the talent to win this championship. Scott's best finish at the U.S. Open came last season at the Olympic Club when he tied for 15th, but since he recently felt what it's like to win a major title, experience could play a factor in Scott contending for the title. He'll open his quest alongside Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in the first round.
Rory McIlroy
Ranked fourth in greens in regulation this season, Rory McIlroy should be able to contend at Merion since most greens will be accessible by using shorter clubs. Currently ranked No. 2 in the World, McIlroy has already tasted U.S. Open greatness, winning the tournament by posting a record score of minus-16 in 2011 at Congressional. In nine events this season, McIlroy made the cut 8 times, finishing in the top 10 on four occasions. If he can finally get back to his tremendous form, McIlroy will certainly be in contention from start to finish.
Brandt Snedeker
One of the best putters in the world, Brandt Snedeker is fully capable of competing this week because of his tremendous short game. The U.S. Open generally demands precision around the greens due to elevated speeds on the surfaces and since Snedeker is a magician with the flat stick, he'll play his way into the conversation as long as he's able to drive the ball consistently. Unless you're able to hit fairways and greens, you don't stand a chance at the Open even if the course is relatively short. Snedeker will do that this week so expect to see a lot of the Ameican this week.
Notable Opening Round Tee Times
7:00am - Nicolas Colsaerts, Dustin Johson, Bubba Watson
7:07am - Hunter Mahan, Peter Hanson, Nick Watney
7:11am - Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley
7:44am - Sergio Garcia, Stewart Cink, Padraig Harrington
8:06am - Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Matteo Manassero
12:30pm - Darren Clarke, Jose Maria Olazabal, David Toms
12:41pm - Angel Cabrera, Geoff Ogilvy, Paul Lawrie
12:52pm - Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald
1:03pm - Graeme McDowell, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson
1:14pm - Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy
113th U.S. Open Wrap-Up
As each of the 156 players make their final preparations, fans of golf are anticipating a tremendous four days of golf. This tournament has provided golf enthusiasts with loads of memories over the years and with a stacked field ready to take on Pennsylvania's Merion Golf Club, the 2013 edition could be the best yet.
Be sure to catch all the first round action beginning at 9:00 a.m., EDT on ESPN television and on-line through USOpen.com beginning at 7:11 a.m., EDT.
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