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U.S. Open Golf 2011: 5 Things To Follow At This Year's Tournament

What To Watch For At This Year's U.S. Open
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Reporter, HuffPost

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The 111th U.S. Open golf championship teed off this morning from a rainy Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., as golf fans filed in for what promises to be one of the top tournaments of the year.

With three-time Open winner Tiger Woods sidelined with injuries, a wide open field including potential favorites Luke Donald, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy are looking to capitalize and take home this major championship on Sunday.

So whether your golf IQ needs no handicap or you're more of a putt-putt kind of fan, here are five story lines to follow as the weekend progresses.

U.S. Open Golf 2011: 5 Things To Follow In This Year's Tournament
The Weather(01 of05)
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Players could spend much of the weekend in the wind and rain, with weather reports calling for isolated thunder storms and up to a 40% chance of precipitation on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (credit:AP)
As Open As The Open Gets(02 of05)
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Even if Tiger did join the 156-player field at the Congressional this weekend, it would be nearly impossible to pick a clear-cut favorite. In fact, golf fans haven't celebrated a repeat major champion since Padraig Harrington followed up his 2008 Open Championship victory with a win at the 2008 PGA Championship 10 major tournaments ago. (credit:AP)
Is This Luke Donald's Time To Shine?(03 of05)
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With eight consecutive top 10 finishes and his number one world golf ranking still fresh, England's red hot Luke Donald has to be salivating over the possibility of claiming his first major championship win this weekend in Bethesda. (credit:AP)
Or, Is This Mickelson's Year?(04 of05)
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1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 -- five times that the people's champion Phil Mickelson has finished second at the U.S. Open. No doubt, he's looking to add this major victory to his closet full of green jackets. (credit:AP)
An Unforgiving Course(05 of05)
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That view may look pleasant, but playing the Congressional is no walk in the park. Arguably the toughest test in golf, look out for more than a few players to make -- or break -- their weekend on just a few critical strokes. (credit:AP)
No Tiger, No Favorite at the U.S. Open

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