World number one Tiger Woods looks set to return from his injury lay-off for the US Open Championships that begin in California next week. The two-time US Open champion has been out of action since undergoing a knee operation two months ago. He hasn’t played a round of golf since them, but will still be one of the favourites for the tournament.

You wouldn’t be surprised if Tiger Woods returns from this injury lay off, playing as well as ever. He does, after all, seem to write his own scripts these days. Tiger will have missed the competitive atmosphere over the last few weeks and this could potentially scupper his chances, but mentally he is likely to be as confident as ever. A decent opening round and it will feel like he has never been away.

Interestingly, Woods has today been paired with world number two Phil Mickleson and third-ranked Adam Scott for this years’ tournament. The fact he and Mickleson will be playing together will cause the most interest as despite constant denials by both players, they are thought not to be the best of friends.

This is an interesting one for me. Fair enough, it is in their best interests to be ‘friends’ when playing together at the Ryder Cup. However, does it really matter what type of relationship they have when competing against each other? They are the two highest ranked golfers in the world and I for one wouldn’t expect them to get on. They are both competitive individuals and are bound to have some sort of rivalry. No-one expects Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger to be friends, so why should it be any different in golf?

With quick consideration to US Open betting itself, interest is developing in there being a European winner of the tournament for the first time in 38 years. That really it an amazing amount of time. Even when you consider that Europe’s finest are often the great underachievers in major tournaments. Europe’s hopes seem to lie in the hands of Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington or Sergio Garcia. These are talented golfers who are all regulars on the PGA tour so there shouldn’t be any reason they can’t emerge victorious.

Of course, if they do so, they will have to beat the main man – Tiger Woods. However, if there is any year where he is just the slightest bit vulnerable, this could be it. The combination of lack of competitive action, his relationship with Mickleson and a recently repaired knee could pave the way for a European to end 38 years of waiting. Here’s hoping.