U.S. Open Winner Will Be: Bethpage Black

"Battles are lost in the same spirit in which they are won. It's a matter of controlling what you can control, giving the maximum effort for as long as possible, enjoying the whole process, and hoping you are fortunate enough to get the prerequisite amount of luck."

                                                                         Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman most likely never played golf, and surely never played in a United States Open, but he totally understood what it takes to be a winner.

The star of this week's championship, the center of attention, the main attraction, is not a player, but the golf course itself. Bethpage Black, 7,400-plus yards of shot-making brutality, awaits 156 players Thursday morning.

Yes, there are way too many reasons to choose Tiger Woods as the champion of this 109th Open come Sunday, but when all is said and done, it will be Bethpage Black that stands alone.

Woods was the only player under par in the 2002 championship, and this course will perhaps be tougher. It is longer for sure, with 500-yard plus par fours. It is certainly the longest par 70 course in Open history.

Why so long and tough?

Lee Trevino, a former Open champion, has the best answer.

"The USGA simply let the ball, and the size of the clubhead, get away from them," he pointed out.

It is very true. Players hit it longer (much longer) these days, and that means adding length if the USGA wants to continue to make par its "sacred" score.

Bethpage Black, in its stardom, will be a demanding attraction.

"You have to drive the ball well," Woods pointed out as his pre-tournament preparation was drawing to a close. "The rough is so thick."

Woods did add that he is getting more comfortable with his swing–bad news for the rest of the field–but he also added that he has, "worn out my long irons this week."

"I'm more comfortable with what we're working on," he said, adding swing coach Hank Haney into the equation. Woods has found new confidence with his 10.5 degree driver.

"When I came on tour," he remembered, "I used a 6.5 degree driver."

Woods is the favorite, as it is hard to make a case for anyone else when the defending champion is playing well. Woods is trying to win the Open back-to-back for the first time in his storied career.

Drawn to the attraction of the course will be enormous New York galleries, and the sometimes-rowdy fans will no doubt be full force behind Phil Mickelson.

"I'm hitting it well. I'm optimistic about my ball striking," Mickelson said Wednesday morning. "If I can putt like I did in '02, I expect to be in contention on Sunday."

While his wife Amy battles breast cancer, Mickelson anticipates the crowds will rally behind him. "I love playing in the New York area, and Bethpage is one of my favorite courses. We've had good news from the standpoint of not only getting her (Amy) cured, but to prevent it from coming back in the future." Her treatments will start July 1st.

"I feel like my game is ready, but you never know. I feel like I'm ready emotionally, but you never know," Mickelson added.

Still, the crowds loved him in 2002, and will no doubt love him again.

But they don't love everyone.

Sergio Garcia was their unfortunate target in 2002.

"If you don't let it bother you, it's good," said former champion Jim Furyk, as he analyzed the crowds. "But if you let it bother you, it can go south in a hurry," he added.

Contenders, crowds, and a world-class golf course.

Makes for a week of action, anticipation, and drama.

Starring role belongs to Bethpage.

Co-star will be one of those 156 players.