Obviously any tournament Tiger Woods enters he's going to be the favorite. No surprise then that he tops the odds in Vegas, but I'm not sure I'd go that route with a fog around the health of his knee.

Tiger Woods admitted Tuesday that he's yet to walk a full 18-holes since his surgery. I realize he's borderline inhuman, but walking 18-holes four straight days on a course this long is bound to have its effects on even the most fit golfer.

Golf.com published an article from an anonymous tour player that will compete in the U.S. Open this week. He shed some light on the feelings towards Tiger and his knee:

For a change, we're not talking about how much he's going to win by — we're talking about what's up with his left knee.

The vibe on Tour is that his knee isn't as far along as he's been letting on. He's Tiger Woods and he can surprise everybody, but this time it's different. When he bagged the Memorial, his agent told Jack Nicklaus that Tiger couldn't put as much weight on his knee as he wanted when he swung. That can't be good. He'll have been out for almost eight weeks. I don't see him being Tiger sharp.

My own feeling is that Tiger Woods is not 100%, but can't let golf down, or more appropriately, can't let the networks down by missing a major event. You know Woods discussed his surgery with commissioner Tim Finchem and they choose the date of his procedure during the longest gap between major events with assurances he'd make it to Torrey Pines.

Even if Woods is 100%, Torrey Pines is going to be brutal this weekend. Go ahead and scratch off anyone without distance and those who you believe lack the necessary toughness upstairs. Torrey's 7,643 yards is mammoth and with the primary rough set at 2 1/4 inches I'll be surprised if we see anyone in red numbers.

Naturally, this type of course plays to Tiger's strengths if he's ready. Here's the odds for the 2008 US Open:

Tiger Woods 5/2
Phil Mickelson 7/1
Sergio Garcia 18/1
Padraig Harrington 20/1
Vijay Singh 28/1
Luke Donald 28/1
Stewart Cink 33/1
Jim Furyk 33/1
Geoff Ogilvy 33/1
Justin Rose 33/1
Trevor Immelman 33/1
Adam Scott 33/1
Ernie Els 40/1
Retief Goosen 40/1
The Field 5/1
(more odds)

I have to say I really like Lefty's odds this weekend, who will be matched up with Tiger for at least the first two rounds. He plays Torrey Pines well and has a recent victory to boost his confidence. Phil Michelson is my pick. Who do you like?