Congressional ready for unpredictable U.S, Open

Charl Schwartzel of South Africa watches his tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio June 3, 2011.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Just as the world rankings have become ultra-competitive since Tiger Woods lost the firm grip he once enjoyed at the top, next week's U.S. Open has whetted the appetite of fans because of its unpredictability.

Woods will be a notable absentee from Congressional while he continues to recover from his left knee and Achilles tendon injury but even his presence would have made no difference to the year's second major being one of the most wide open ever.

While the former world number one has slipped to 15th in the rankings with six fellow Americans now ahead of him, there are probably at least 40 players in next week's field who genuinely believe they can win the title.

Recent statistics certainly support that notion, given that seven of the last eight major champions have been first-time winners.

Neither British world number one Luke Donald nor his second-ranked compatriot Lee Westwood have yet won a major but both will fancy their chances at Congressional Country Club after producing sparkling form this season.

So too will Germany's Martin Kaymer, who won his first major at last year's PGA Championship, and the in-form American trio of Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar.

Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa now knows he can triumph at the highest level while Britain's Rory McIlroy and Americans Dustin Johnson and Nick Watney will hope to build on lessons learned after relinquishing 54-hole leads in the last three majors.

And the list does not stop there.

Britain's Graeme McDowell does not plan to surrender the U.S. Open crown he claimed last year at Pebble Beach without a fight while American Bubba Watson and Englishmen Paul Casey and Ian Poulter each have the self-belief needed to win a major.

McDowell, who won four titles worldwide last year and also secured the winning Ryder Cup point for Europe, recognizes what is now possible in global golf with 14-times major winner Woods having lost the aura of dominance he once wielded.

TIGER'S ABSENCE

"With Tiger going through his troubles, it's given the world a chance to view what golf might be like without him," the Northern Irishman said. "We see that golf is very healthy. We've got some really great, young talent coming through."

Kaymer agreed.

"It's great for the game of golf to have so many worldwide players up there," the third-ranked German said. "There used to be only Tiger and Phil at No. 1 and 2 for many, many years. Now it's changing kind of like every week, every month."

As ever at a U.S. Open where 'plodding' rather than 'birdie hunting' is the name of the game, the ability to minimize errors and stay patient on slick greens and tight fairways flanked by thick, graduated rough will be defining traits in the make-up of next week's champion.

"It's going to be tough," said McDowell, who ended a 40-year title drought by Europeans at the U.S. Open with his one-shot victory 12 months ago.

"I saw the golf course a few weeks back and it looked very long and demanding. Hopefully it's firmed up a little bit and I'm sure the rough has got a little heavier since I was there."

American Johnny Miller, U.S. Open champion at Oakmont in 1973 and now a noted analyst for NBC television, believes no other major compares when it comes the level of difficulty.

"The Open is the hardest major to win," Miller said. "The fact that it's our national championship adds tremendous pressure. It's the hardest test of golf."

Other likely candidates next week include double U.S. Open winners Ernie Els and Retief Goosen of South Africa, 2003 champion Jim Furyk and South Korean K.J. Choi, an eight-times on the PGA Tour who is renowned for his ice-cool composure.

It could also be a week to remember for one of the younger guns, who have already made a significant splash at major level.

Northern Irishman McIlroy led this year's Masters by four shots going into the final round before tumbling out of contention while Australian Jason Day posted his best major finish that same day as he signed off with a 68 to tie for second place.

Congressional's Blue Course will be staging the U.S. Open for a third time. American Ken Venturi won the 1964 edition after nearly collapsing in scorching heat during a 36-hole final day and Els triumphed at the venue in 1997.

(Editing by Julian Linden)