US Open Golf 2011: American Golfers Need to Step Up at US Open Championship

With Tiger Woods on the sidelines while every major golfing great descends on Congressional in Washington, DC for the U.S. Open Championship this coming week, here is one writer and fan who is hoping a young American upstart steps up and leads a new charge of American golfers into the next decade.

The stage is crying for a new face, a new image, something other than what we are used to seeing—that being an injured Tiger Woods pulling out of an event, people questioning his ability to challenge Jack Nicklaus and no other American golfer really taking the initiative to lead the American hopefuls into battle against what is arguably the best foreign contingent in the past decade.

Look at the current world golf rankings and you see Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson nestled in the fourth and fifth spots respectively, with Matt Kuchar sixth—the first in a short line of younger Americans that fans would love to see win and take charge of the golf world.

The top of the golf rankings are led by Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer with Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell lurking in the shadows. It is some of the best foreign golf we have seen since the likes of Nick Price, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman.

Since these five foreigners are winning consistently or giving America’s best a run on the links, they figure to remain atop the leaderboard for a while.

Here is a list of hopefuls that could make things interesting this weekend that are not named Mickelson, Stricker or even the injured Tiger Woods.

Matt Kuchar

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 05: Matt Kuchar hits his tee shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance at the Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 5, 2011 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty I

He has proven to be as consistent as they come this year. Kuchar is a good bet to be in contention this weekend at Congressional.

Nick Watney

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MAY 15: Nick Watney hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship held at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on May 15, 2011 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

He had the Players Championship won after three rounds. If he can put together four solid days, Watney would be a great choice to win the tournament.

Hunter Mahan

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 20: Hunter Mahan looks on during the second round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club on May 20, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Currently, Mahan is 19th on the World Golf Ranking list.

Dustin Johnson

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 02: Fred Couples (R) waits with Dustin Johnson (C) and his caddie Joe Lacava (L) on the 14th hole during the first round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance at the Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 2, 2011 in

In the top 10 in the world rankings and playing well, Johnson needs more notoriety, and this stage could provide it for him.

Bubba Watson

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MAY 13: Bubba Watson celebrates chipping in for birdie on the 17th hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship held at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on May 13, 2011 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo

Gotta love a man whose name is Bubba and is playing on the Tour. Watson, who is a friend of Tiger Woods, was also critical of him at The Players.

It would be good for him to show he can play better than his colleague and bring home the U.S. Open Championship.