Tiger Woods Is Clear Favorite at U.S. Open After Players Championship Win

A familiar face emerged victorious on Sunday, as Tiger Woods won The Players Championship for the second time in his career. This is a continuation of what has been nothing short of a hot start for one of golf's most decorated, polarizing and captivating individuals.

Woods has been sensational this year, winning four of the seven events that he's taken part in. He also finished fourth at the 2013 Masters Tournament, overcoming a controversial two-stroke penalty to push onwards towards a rewarding day.

Even though Woods appears to be back in his legendary form, he won't be accepted as back until he wins a major. After all, he hasn't won a major tournament since 2008—it just so happens that he won the U.S. Open that year.

As previously alluded to, Tiger Woods has been a dominant force during the 2013 season. Not only has he outclassed the field, but Tiger is playing some of the best golf of his career.

In 2000, Woods won the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship crowns. He completed the grand slam in 2001, winning the Masters Tournament.

You can make the case that Tiger Woods' return to the ranks of the elite will only be solidified once he wins a major tournament. You could even state that there are players with better resumes, in terms of success, over the past four to five calendar years.

Adam Scott won the 2013 Masters Tournament, but he's never finished higher than 15th at the U.S. Open. 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, meanwhile, missed the cut at the 2012 PGA Championship and the 2013 Masters.

Former champions such as Rory McIlroy, Angel Cabrera and Graeme McDowell are all intriguing options. With that being said, those three champions have as many U.S. Open titles combined as Woods does individually.

Phil Mickelson and Woods will be the quiet favorites at every event they play, in part due to their reputation and countless accolades. With that being said, Mickelson has never won the U.S. Open and has finished 54th or worse in consecutive tries.

Woods may not have fared too well in recent major tournaments, but he also hasn't started a season this well since 2000. After all of the complications both on the course and off of it, it appears as if Tiger has finally rediscovered what made him so great.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Woods has established himself as the clear cut favorite entering the 2013 U.S. Open.

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