The US Open begins on Thursday and promises to be one of the most fascinating Major Championships in recent memory. Here are 5 things to watch for over the four days:

1. The course is, ummm, different?

Chambers Bay is an undeniably unique venue. Built in 2007 for the exact purpose of hosting the US Open, the 115th edition will be the first held in the Pacific Northwest (it's just outside Tacoma, Washington) and looks more like a course you'd see in Blackpool than anywhere in the US. 

I say that not to undermine the quality of the golf course - it's quite beautiful, frankly - it's more to illustrate how the course shares many characteristics with a more traditional British links course. There is one tree (a Douglas Fir if you're interested) and zero water hazards across the entire 18 holes, these are replaced by bunkers that stretch for hundreds of yards, some so deep many golfers will break out in a cold sweat at the thought. 

The fairways are almost unthinkably wide, the widest of any US Open, but many holes can only be realistically accessed by as little as a third of the fairway so placement off the tee will be important. The real damage, however, will be done in and around the greens. Every green contains heavy contours, one foot to the right and your ball is 50 yards from where you wanted it, one foot to the left and you've got yourself a tap-in for birdie. Look at several greens and the only hope you have of distinguishing it from the fairway is the white flag protruding from the hole, a feature that has irked many golfers, chief among them Charl Schwartzel and the oft-opinionated Ian Poulter. 

2. Sounds like local knowledge might help, right?

Absolutely, yes! Mike Davis, Executive director of the USGA, said in May 'The idea of coming in and playing two practice rounds and having your caddie just walk it and using your yardage book, that person's done'. Whether or not that's accurate or just hyperbole remains to be seen but it's reasonable to suggest it'll help to have played Chambers Bay several times. 

So, who has that precious local knowledge? Well, Michael Putnam and Ryan Moore might be your guys!

3. How mentally and physically prepared are you?

There's no doubt this is going to be a physically draining round of golf. Depending on the layout the course can play as long as 7,900 yards, admittedly for a US Open this isn't unusual however compared to those other courses this is a virtual mountain range. There aren't many opportunities to walk flat and catch your breath, even a guy who takes fitness as seriously as Tiger Woods could only play 9 holes in his practice rounds as 18 would be too taxing. 

Then there's the mental side. The winner of this event is going to be the guy who can accept the shots that he feels he hit perfectly but end up 40 or 50 yards away from his target. This is going to happen. To everyone. Those who let it bother them and allow the course to get in their heads are going to shoot some very high scores. 

4. Yeah that's all great but, what about Rory and Tiger?

Love it or hate it these are the two most important players in Golf. It's odd that a guy ranked way outside the top 100 still has this level of significance but that's the way it is, and it wont be changing any time soon. 

For Tiger, I have no idea what to expect other than you have to imagine he has no realistic shot of winning. Nothing the man has done over the past 12 months suggests he has the game to navigate a course as tough as this, it's probably more pertinent to think about how badly this could go. If he drives like he's been driving, chips like he was chipping before The Masters and doesn't make a few putts then it could go very, very badly indeed. Let's hope not though ehy, you may disagree but I always find Tiger being in contention on Sunday much more fun. 

As for Rory, it's clear that when he plays at the peak of his powers nobody can touch him (not even you, Mr.Spieth) however he also lacks the consistency to guarantee that'll happen. At the Irish Open, a venue not the same as Chambers Bay but similar in some respects, he was awful so he needs to have figured out a few things since then. 

What ever happens with these two it'll be a fascinating watch!

5. So, who wins?

Absolutely no idea, just enjoy the weekend!

Harrison Ryle

harrison.ryle@foremostgolf.com