U.S. Open Golf 2012: 15 Americans Ready to Take Open Title

Weren't we talking about how the American golf scene was in trouble about this time last year?

Seems like things in the golf world are a little bit better now.

Let me rephrase that.  American golf is a LOT better this time as we approach the U.S. Open and the possible contenders to win on American soil.

Take that, Rory McIlroy.

This is our tournament and while players like McIlroy and Luke Donald are trading the top spot in the world golf rankings like it's ping pong, players who we watched last season like Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson and yes, Tiger Woods, are playing better and their games could be suited for an Open title.

Here are some American players we all should be watching this weekend at the Lake Course at Olympic Club, San Francisco this coming week.

Jason Dufner

He has really stepped up his game this year. Actually, it all began at the end of last season at the PGA Championship.

Dufner is a multiple winner on tour this season and appears to be a contender every week he plays in a tournament.

It would not be shocking to see him in contention on Sunday.

Keegan Bradley

You just want him to do well.

Bradley looks like the wholesome guy every mom wants their daughter to date. But when he is on the golf course, he is all business.

Could Bradley win another major in less than a year?

It is possible.

Rickie Fowler

Is he golf's new darling?

The fans, especially the younger female crowds, love him. And with his style choices and his game, he could be a fan favorite for many years.

The way Fowler is playing of late, it would interesting to see how he would fare in a major on the final day with Rory McIlroy or even a Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods.

The fans and the television viewers would eat it up.

Jim Furyk

He is one of the 40 somethings that you can't ever count out of a tournament.

Furyk is a steady player who plays better in big tournaments.

Just when you think the new generation will pick up the game and take it away and hide, someone like Furyk proves that even as you get older, if you can still swing a stick well, you can still be in contention.

Bill Haas

Bill Haas has a game that is steady. So much so that we talk about other golfers and sometimes forget about him.

Maybe that is a good thing. Golf is one of those games where you can play well, go unnoticed and then come in and take a victory or two,

Haas could do just that this week.

Dustin Johnson

He just won the St. Jude Classic. Does that make him the favorite for this week?

Johnson is one of those guys who are part of the young pack of golf wolves ready to take over American golf.

This season, Johnson has been steady and played some of his best golf at the right time this past weekend.

Yes, he has momentum and that is key. Golfers feed off their past experience and recent successes.

Hopefully, that means Johnson will be in contention over the week.

Zach Johnson

Currently ranked 18th in the latest World Golf Rankings, Johnson won the Crowne Plaza Invitational two weeks ago but did not make the cut at the St. Jude Classic.

Which player will we see this coming weekend?

The 2007 Masters champion knows a thing or two about winning  a major, but taming Augusta is not like any other course on the tour.

Can he make adjustments to his game and find the consistency that allowed him to win two weeks ago?

Johnson has 22 professional wins to his credit.

Matt Kuchar

Kuchar is my favorite to win the U.S. Open.

Playing at Sawgrass and winning, Kuchar proved he can gain the lead and hold it or charge from the pack and take over the leaderboard.

In major tournaments, you never know what the conditions will do to your game, so having the ability to play from in front and behind can have its advantages.

The No. 6 player in the world could use a major win to prove he is one of the top-10 golfers in the world right now.

Davis Love III

It is hard to believe that a man with his pedigree and his history in major championships had to qualify to get into the Open.

Maybe that is the onus for him to prove he is just as good as he ever was.

Like so many others in his era, Love hovers around the leaderboard at major tournaments and plays into contention for the weekend.

Could this be another grand performance from one of golf's best and most steady players ever?

Phil Mickelson

Don't ever count Phil out.

He should have won the Open Championship last year and is always a player you look for to challenge for the Masters.

Will he add another major to his resume?

I think this could be a golden opportunity for Mickelson to prove he can still win major titles into his 40s.

D.A. Points

If there is a dark horse to look to in San Francisco, may I introduce D.A. Points?

He only has five professional wins, one on the PGA Tour, but something tells me Points could make some noise in this tournament.

Last year, he did not make the cut, but his play this season has been better.

And while we are looking at the young lions to roar, the 35-year old could be a silent challenger to all the heavy competition.

Webb Simpson

Webb Simpson is one of those players you just have to watch out for.

Unfortunately, the last two tournaments he played in, The Players Championship and The Memorial, were not his best efforts.

He did not qualify for either.

He tied for 14th last season at the U.S. Open and has two tour wins to his credit.

A solid start could be just what he needs to challenge for his first major title.

Bo Van Pelt

The 37-year old tied for 14th last season at the U.S. Open and is looking to improve on his performances in major tournaments.

Van Pelt always seems to be a name of a golfer we all pick at the beginning of the week to be in contention, and then he seems to fade.

Maybe The Olympic Club will prove to be the right elixir for Van Pelt, who could be in the last pairing come Sunday.

Bubba Watson

Now we get to see the real Bubba Watson.

After winning the Masters, Watson took some time off to be with his new family. There is nothing wrong with wanting that family bonding.

Now comes the hard part of being the first major winner of the season and being asked to follow the win up with a great showing.

Watson hasn't played much since April, and this may show in his game on the left coast.

Tiger Woods

When Tiger Woods is playing well, all of golf benefits.

We were so distraught over his poor play and his reoccurring injuries. While he may not be back to his old self and the Tiger of a decade ago, he is playing decent golf and yes, he won a tournament this year.

If Tiger can figure out the course, which we will have to wait and see, this could be an interesting week for him and the golf world.

Remember, when Tiger is playing well, then all of golf is well.