Tiger Woods Is Clear Favorite at U.S. Open After Players Championship Win

A familiar face emerged victorious on Sunday as Tiger Woods won The Players Championship for the second time in his career. This is a continuation of what has been nothing short of a hot start for one of golf's most decorated, polarizing and captivating individuals.

More importantly, this is a sign that Woods is a clear favorite at the 2013 U.S. Open.

Woods has been sensational this year, winning four of the seven events that he's taken part in. He also finished fourth at the 2013 Masters Tournament, overcoming a controversial two-stroke penalty to push onwards toward a rewarding day.

More importantly, Woods has won three of the past four tournaments he's participated in.

How's that for a stroke of brilliance?

Even though Woods appears to be back in his legendary form, he won't be accepted as back until he wins a major. After all, he hasn't won a major tournament since 2008—it just so happens that he won the U.S. Open that year.

Something tells us he's prepared to pick up where he left off.

A History Lesson

As previously alluded to, Tiger Woods has been a dominant force during the 2013 season. Not only has he outclassed the field, but Tiger is playing some of the best golf of his career.

Just check the numbers.

So, why is this significant?

In 2000, Woods won the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship crowns. He completed the grand slam in 2001, winning the Masters Tournament.

History is a scary tool.

Survey the Field

You can make the case that Tiger Woods' return to the ranks of the elite will only be solidified once he wins a major tournament. You could even state that there are players with better resumes, in terms of success, over the past four to five calendar years.

Good luck finding a golfer in better position to win the U.S. Open than Tiger.

Adam Scott won the 2013 Masters Tournament, but he's never finished higher than 15th at the U.S. Open. 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, meanwhile, missed the cut at the 2012 PGA Championship and the 2013 Masters.

Only one golfer has won back-to-back U.S. Open titles since Ben Hogan in 1951—Curtis Strange in 1988 and 1989.

Former champions such as Rory McIlroy, Angel Cabrera and Graeme McDowell are all intriguing options. With that being said, those three champions have as many U.S. Open titles combined as Woods does individually.

And then there's Lefty.

Phil Mickelson and Woods will be the quiet favorites at every event they play, in part due to their reputation and countless accolades. With that being said, Mickelson has never won the U.S. Open and has finished 54th or worse in consecutive tries.

Once again, we come back to Tiger.

Woods may not have fared too well in recent major tournaments, but he also hasn't started a season this well since 2000. After all of the complications both on the course and off of it, it appears as if Tiger has finally rediscovered what made him so great.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Woods has established himself as the clear-cut favorite entering the 2013 U.S. Open.