US Open Golf Predictions 2012: Favorites Who Won't Win at Olympic Club

The 2012 U.S. Open field has it's favorites, but as we all know, that means nothing coming into the toughest test in golf.

It will no doubt be a difficult event and that leaves it wide open to be taken by the hottest golfer. That doesn't always necessarily have to be the favorite, of course.

Let's take a look at some of the usual suspects who are favorites, but won't be notching another major win under their belt.

Tiger Woods

Two wins this year have no doubt given Woods momentum, but this is a major and the stakes are much higher. On the line is Woods' credibility as one of the best golfers on the planet as opposed to just one in the pack.

His win at the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio was helped along by a little luck as Woods dropped a miraculous flop shot down the stretch to take home his second win of the season.

Granted, Woods needed three birdies to get there, but his win was very much helped along by the golf gods. It was far and away the best shot he had hit since his return from injury.

However, as disappointing as Woods has been in majors as of late, it leaves a wait-and-see situation with the world's former No. 1.

Phil Mickelson

Lefty has come oh-so close to winning the U.S. Open on multiple occasions, but has yet to get over the hump. Mickelson is still very much a worthy competitor, but it's hard to imagine him winning this difficult tournament now after not having won it in the prime of his career.

Mickelson has one win this year and it happened back in February. Since then, Lefty has been inconsistent and up and down on the leader boards as a result.

To make matters worse, Mickelson comes into the Olympic Club having withdrawn from the Memorial after a horrid first-round 79.

It's debatable why, but there's no doubt Phil is not playing his best golf and it's his best game only that will help Lefty win this tournament.

Rory McIlroy

Prior to the FedEx St. Jude Classic, McIlroy had missed the cut at the two previous events. He comes into the U.S. Open having finished in the Top 10 in that tournament, but certainly isn't at the top of his game.

Odds are also working against him. McIlroy was the winner of the same major last year, and won by a convincing margin. The type of special play shown by the world's No. 2 player last year at the U.S. Open won't be easy to duplicate.

McIlroy can't keep playing the way he's been this year and expect to go to the Olympic Club and grab his second consecutive U.S. Open. It will take a superb effort—his best of the season—in order to put himself into the record books.