Why US Open Will Mark the Return of Tiger Woods as Dominant Force

By the end of the 2012 US Open, Tiger Woods will once again loom over the golf world from his throne as the game's best.

Tiger is not going to come out and make a mockery of the field like he did in 2000, but he doesn't have to. No single golfer has been able to seize the thrown in his absence. In fact, a win here and he would lead the tour in victories this season. 

A win is far from a guarantee, though. This course is not tailor made for Woods' game, or anyone else's for that matter.

For starters, it is long, but it is only a par-70. This is not good for Tiger. He has already had his best success on par-fives. 

However, Tiger does have some key qualities that indicate success at the Olympic Club. 

Reuters' Mark Lamport-Stokes offered up this quote from Tiger: 

"

This probably tests the player more than any other championship. We have to shape the ball. We have to hit the ball high. We have to hit the ball low. Our short game's got to be dialed in.

You can look at the history of guys who were in contention or who ended up winning there, all were wonderful drivers of the golf ball and good, solid iron players.

"

Tiger has been driving the ball wonderfully this year. While he has had his ups and downs with his overall game, his driving percentage is at 65.7. This is his best mark since 2002, and if you take out his slumps, his percentage rivals the best numbers of his career. 

Tiger is going to be just fine on this course, but I can't sit here and tell you he is going to win. This is the U.S. Open, and this course will turn good shots into bad ones with one wicked bounce off the concrete-like greens.

That said, Tiger's ball striking is dialed in, and his confidence is soaring. He will be a factor, and if you have to pick one man to win this event, it has to be Tiger. 

With all eyes on him, he will produce on the toughest course these guys will play all season. This will be the moment when almost everyone is comfortable saying that Tiger is back.