About That Tiger Prediction...

I was looking and feeling pretty good after two rounds of the U.S. Open. In fact, I was all but certain my pre-tourney pick, Tiger Woods, was headed for major win No. 15 given his surgical dissection of the Olympic Club on Thursday and Friday.

But a funny thing happened on the way to victory lane. Tiger lost his mojo. I'm now more convinced than ever that his issues are strictly mental/emotional, not swing-related. Through two rounds, Woods simply looked too in-command of his action, in control of all the old shots and trajectories, to suddenly go south with his technique.

No, I contend he's still battling self-doubt, a foe he never wrestled before the world found out what a rotten person he'd been off the course. In golf -- and in life -- opponents don't come any bigger or badder.

I'll Take Tiger to Win the U.S. Open

I predicted a major for Matt Kuchar this year and I'm sticking with it. But it won't happen this week. While I like Kuchar to contend at Olympic, I think he's got a better chance to win the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in August.

I also like Zach Johnson, Jason Dufner, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose.

But if I had to pick one guy to win, I'd go with -- surprise! -- Tiger Woods. I know he flamed out at the Masters after winning at Bay Hill, but something seemed different in Tiger's Memorial victory. Not only was the old magic back, but Tiger showed exquisite control of his ball from tee to green. That's the key to winning any Open, and especially one at tight, twisting Olympic. It's reminiscent of Southern Hills, where Woods walked away with the 2007 PGA.

BTW -- I reserve the right to alter my picks until 7:15 a.m. PDT on Thursday, when the first ball is struck.

Latest at Golf-Newz.com

Two new articles by yours truly up for viewing at Golf-Newz.com:

Harbottle Poured Passion Into His Work

For Tiger, the Time Is Now. Or Is It?

Enjoy.

Mickelson Drained by Back-Breaking Schedule

I've grown to like Phil Mickelson more and more over the years, in large part due to his candor. But Lefty may have been a bit too honest in explaining his withdrawal from the Memorial after a first-round 79.

"I think mentally I'm a little fatigued," he said, and I have no problem with that. It's how Phil became so wrung out that's a little tough for us average Joes to relate to.

The Memorial was Mickelson's fourth tournament in a five-week stretch, which is punishing enough in itself, right? On top of that, Phil spent the off week touring France and Italy to celebrate wife Amy's 40th birthday.

We should all be so worn out.