PINEHURST, N.C., June 15 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods, the world's top-ranked player in men's golf, is the favorite for the U.S. Open golf tournament, which begins Thursday at Pinehurst, N.C.
Woods, who won the Masters in April, will get a stiff challenge from a talented 156-player field, which includes Vijay Singh, who has not missed a cut in the Open since 1993. The field also includes Phil Mickelson and defending champion Retief Goosen, who will try to make the first successful defense of an Open crown since 1989.
Also in the field are rising young star Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia, who won last week's PGA event at Bethesda, Md. Ernie Els is also appearing at the Open, as well as David Toms, who has finished in the top 10 in each of his last three tournament appearances.
The famed No. 2 course at Pinehurst is considered one of the most challenging on the PGA Tour, but suited to Woods' game because it favors big hitters.
