All the Golf Channel “Live from the U.S. Open” previews are done and all the speculations and predictions are in; it’s time to play some golf. Chambers Bay in Washington is a visually exciting venue, it should look beautiful on the big-screen TV. There’s gonna be some carnage out there, for sure, but I believe that the golfers who are most willing to accept what the course if going to give them – both good and bad – are the ones that will do the best. A few impressions:

On the surface one has to think that this course was made for Phil Mickelson. He’s grown to love links-style golf, has an awesome short game when it comes to ingenuity, and is playing a course that demands a great short game and no small amount of imagination. I’d be disappointed if Phil isn’t at least in the hunt come Sunday.

Tiger Woods looks like a beaten man. At his press conference on Tuesday there was no spark, very little humor, and it showed someone who is either tired, worn down, in fear, or just plan burned out. Maybe he surprises (and I would to love to see him in the hunt), but I just don’t see it. I think he’s in for a rough weekend.

I don’t think his game is quite up to it right now, but I would love to see Graeme McDowell in the hunt. He loves a good challenge and I loved the way he described Chambers Bay as “fiery”. He’s a good man, would love to see him in the hunt as well.

I think the bombers have an edge on this course, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see the likes of Paul Casey, Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, and Dustin Johnson somewhere near the top come Sunday.

I’ve been going back and forth over my picks, and I’ve finally settled on a group of five I see as likely winners: Phil, Jordan Spieth, Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey, or Henrik Stenson. Out of that group (Justin Rose is also a possibility) will win with the winning score at -3.

It looks to be a great Open. I can’t wait!