The first time the U.S. Open was played at Oakmont, in 1927, the legendary Tommy Armour took the title. Since then, the winners have read like a who's-who of golfing greats - Ben Hogan (1951), Jack Nicklaus (1962), Johnny Miller (1973), Larry Nelson (1983) and Ernie Els (1994).

Only Sam Parks, Jr. was largely unknown when he conquered Oakmont in 1935.

When the venerable site hosts its eighth U.S. Open starting Thursday, the world's top golfers will once again be challenged by one of the most difficult tracks on the planet.

"That golf course is going to be one of the toughest tests that we've ever played in a U.S. Open, especially if it's dry," Tiger Woods told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "If it's dry, it will be unreal because those greens are so severe."

Meteorologists are forecasting a low chance of precipitation over the four days of play, so expect putts to be rolling like ball bearings on glass.

Sam Snead once joked that he tried to mark his ball on one of Oakmont's greens but the coin slid off.

And the greens aren't the only hard part, according to the world's number one.

"Driving will be a key." Woods added. "Most fairways are only about 26 yards wide and the rough is brutal in places."

Too Much on Tiger's Plate?

Oddsmakers are giving Woods 3/1 odds to win the U.S. Open, the one major that has eluded him more than any other. His last victory came in 2002 at Bethpage. Last year at Winged Foot, after a nine-week hiatus to grieve the passing of his father, he missed the cut.

Woods has already won three PGA Tour events this year. Throw in a tie for second at the Masters and it's easy to see how recent failures at the U.S. Open can be overlooked.

What shouldn't be ignored, however, are his last two outings. A tie for 37th at The Players Championship featured three rounds of 73 or more. A tie for 15th at the Memorial was a slight improvement, but neither performance was very Tiger-esque.

To be fair, Woods has a number of things on his mind, most notably the birth of his first child with wife Elin, who is due early next month. He's also been busy preparing to host the inaugural AT&T National on the Fourth of July weekend.

"Peaking for a major championship is never easy," said Woods. "You try to do everything humanly possible to get ready, including rest, but you just never know until you get to the tournament. Despite a busy off-course schedule, I have trained hard and hope it pays off."

One factor that isn't getting much attention from the media is Woods' knee injury. Some have suggested the soreness Woods chalks up to "wear and tear" is worse than he's letting on. Of course, nobody but Tiger knows for sure, but it's something to keep in mind.

Speaking of Injuries...

At 8/1 odds to win this weekend, oddsmakers have placed Phil Mickelson in second spot on the betting board, which is the same spot he normally finds himself on the U.S. Open leaderboard.

Three runner-up finishes in the last five U.S. Open tries have been the tragic results for Lefty, the worst of which came last year at Winged Foot when he blew a one-stoke lead on the 72nd hole. Mickelson's choice of driver off the 18th tee followed by an overly optimistic shot that hit a tree were two of the worst decisions since Eve ate the apple and gave it to Adam. His double bogey handed the title to Geoff Ogilvy.

For all the grief he received in the aftermath of last year's disaster, Mickelson rebounded admirably in 2007. In February, he won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. In May, he won The Players. In 13 events, he's finished in the top-three five times.

Last month, NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller predicted great things for Mickelson at the U.S. Open.

"What Phil did at the Players makes him the favorite for the U.S. Open, without a doubt, in front of Tiger," Miller said. "If you gave me Tiger or Phil, I'd take Phil. If he hits that little cut at the Open he'll win. ...He's worked harder than anybody. He's got as much talent as Tiger and he's driving it better than Tiger."

But then came the wrist injury that forced Mickelson to withdraw from the Memorial, a malady he suffered chipping out of the rough during a practice round at Oakmont.

"I don't think it's anything serious," Mickelson told reporters at the time. "It just got worse. I couldn't grab the club and I couldn't swing."

The injury, which doctors have said a cortisone shot should cure, kept Mickelson out of last week's Stanford St. Jude Championship. That means he hasn't completed a competitive round of golf in a month.

While the brief hiatus could affect his swing rhythm, Mickelson's putting should give him a big leg up on the competition. In 2007, Lefty is averaging 1.715 putts per every green in regulation, and that's tops on tour.

PGA Tour Putting Average Statistics