U.S. Open 2019: Power ranking the top 10 golfers at Pebble Beach

When you think of iconic moments at Pebble Beach, Tiger Woods’ dominance in the 2000 U.S. Open shoots to the top of the list.

He set the still standing major record of victory, reaching 12-under to dust the field by 15 shots.

Nineteen years later and Woods is a contender to win again at Pebble. I’m going to take off the table the idea of him winning by over a dozen shots, but he can certainly plot and scheme his way around.

This course sets up better for him than Bethpage Black did at last month’s PGA Championship. Woods doesn’t have to worry about his off and on driver as much as he can let his still elite iron play carry the day.

He’s also obviously one of the more mentally tough players in the field and has never shied away from nor criticized the tough U.S. Open setups over the years. He thrives on seeing other players squirm over the green speeds and rough lengths.

Woods is back in the top five in the world for the first time since 2014 and is in better stead than when he finished T23 at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble.

Along with his win at the Masters, Woods has two top-10s in WGCs and a T9 in his last start a couple weeks ago at Memorial.

Woods didn’t do anything spectacular in his U.S. Open tuneup, but he shot four rounds of par or better. He didn’t leak oil in any one area and has reserved the right to ease on the gas in non-majors.

The 43-year-old is seventh on Tour in total strokes gained and is top-20 in SG approach, around the green and tee to green. He leads in greens in regulation (72.86%) and is third in proximity from the fairway.

Woods is three major wins from tying Jack Nicklaus and has a great shot to inch closer this week in his home state.