U.S. Open Golf 2012: Players Who Will Contend for Their First Major

The 112th US Open is finally bearing down on us. Several participants are seeking their first career major victory, and some will find a way to contend.

Just because a golfer hasn't won a major doesn't mean they aren't a worthy adversary. Hunter Mahan, Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood and others are all capable, but are often tripped up when it counts.

Let's take a look at which major-less competitors will find their way into the center of this year's U.S. Open action.

Lee Westwood

Westwood is currently the No. 3 player in the world, and one of the more notable names to never win a major.

In his last tournament, he limped his way through a miserable showing at The Players Championship. He finished four-over and tied for 61st place in the tournament.

Prior to that, Westwood was playing extremely well. He finished third in The Masters and followed that with a fifth-place finish in Wells Fargo.

If Westwood can find his Masters form, he will be a dangerous player in this year's US Open field. He has a solid all-around game, but has failed to get over the hump on way too many occasions.

Hunter Mahan

Mahan is ranked No. 8 in the world. He has competed in 12 tournaments this year, and has claimed victory in two of those.

He has performed terribly lately. He missed the cut at The Players Championship, finished 37th in Crowne Plaza and tied for 19th in the Memorial Tournament.

But he's also had his bright spot. He had a solid showing at The Masters, won the Houston Open and stole the show at WGC Match Play in late February.

Mahan has definitely had an up-and-down year, but he is a talented player. If he hold himself together down the stretch, he will be a contender going into the final day.

Luke Donald

Donald is a great sleeper candidate for this year's Open. He is riding a hot streak into the tournament, and he will be hungry for his first taste of Major glory.

His last three tournaments have resulted in top-15 finishes. He took sixth in The Players Championship, third in the Zurich Classic and 12th in the Memorial Tournament.

Riding momentum into one of golf's toughest tournaments factors heavily in Donald's favor. His great performances in WGC-Cadillac and the Transitions Championship earlier this year will help as well.

Donald knows how to golf, and he has had success. Now he must forget the poor showing from his last major (tied for 32nd in The Masters), and do what he knows how to do at The Olympic Club.

All of these players sit behind the predicted leaders coming into this year's tournament, but they should make the contenders nervous.

If they bring their A-game, any one of these skilled golfers could take home the trophy.