WINNERS, LOSERS, AND THOSE LOST

The rough at Winged Foot for this years U.S. Open.
Officials are still looking for Fred Funk.

With the practice rounds underway, and Thursday quickly approaching, I thought I would take a page out of SI's book, and offer up some predictions for the weekend.

AND THE BETTIN' MAN WOULD THROW IT DOWN ON...
Phil Mickelson -- Not one of SI's experts pick lefty to win this week. Perhaps they are thinking he could not pull off three-majors in a row, but Phil Mickelson is a great bet this weekend. Winged Foot is a long golf course, and while he can surely belt them out there, he leads the PGA in greens-in-regulation, putts-per-hole, and he is the only player on tour to better the tour average birdies-per-round by more than one (his average is 4.88 and the tour aveage is 3.47). Moreover, he is second in the tour on scoring average. His deft touch around the greens combined with his recent play give him ample opportunity to spend Sunday evening celebrating.

KEEP IT IN YOUR WALLET IF YOU ARE THINKING....
Sergio Garcia -- Sergio has never quite hit the same form that he had the first couple of years on tour. He is nowhere to be found when it comes to statistical leaders on tour, and when you combine this with his withdrawl from Barclay's Classic this past week, he will be nowhere near the top of the leaderboard.

POTENTIAL SURPRISES
Vijay Singh -- Vijah Singh has had a very disappointing season, but showed some life last week by winning the Barclay's Classic last week with some solid golf. However, no one has ever won the U.S. Open after a victory the previous week, so history does not seem to be on his side. But if he can play his rounds like last weekend, Vijay will be a happy golfer on Sunday.

Jim Furyk -- He has had an great year thus far, despite a swing that no PGA professional would want to teach - but hey, it's getting the job done. He is third in scoring average, but more importantly, he is fourth in driving accuracy. Keeping you ball out of the rough is going to be key, and once it is in there, two words come to mind: good luck. Fred Funk went looking for his ball during his practice round, and officials are still looking for him!

FEEL GOOD STORY
Tiger Woods -- Three of SI's five experts predicted a win by Tiger, and the world's number one golfer does have a knack for coming back from a break with a win. However, nine-weeks is a long time away from golf -- six weeks without touching a club -- and despite looking good on practice rounds, he has a lot to overome. Nonetheless, what a sight it would be to see Tiger win yet another major on Father's Day.