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U.S. Open breakdown A look at the contenders for the 109th U.S. Open at Bethpage, June 18-21. NBCSports.com

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Might this finally be the year?

Mickelson already shares the U.S. Open record with four runner-up finishes, and most of the attention is on Woods, who is the defending champion and coming off a victory at the Memorial.

Some wonder if his wife's health is too great of a distraction, or if the month away allowed too much rust to accumulate.

"It will be a big week for him, emotional, I'm sure,'' Geoff Ogilvy said. "The crowd was behind him big-time the last time, and this will magnify now because of the love they feel. And the empathy they feel at the moment will be incredible. Everyone loves Amy. Great things sometimes happen in situations like that.''

Even without winning, Mickelson has always thrived at U.S. Opens in New York.

His first one came in 1995 at Shinnecock Hills, when he played the par-5 16th in 6-over-par for the week and finished four shots behind Corey Pavin, in a tie for fourth. That was his worst finish in a U.S. Open in the Empire State.

Goosen was in the group behind Mickelson at Shinnecock in 2004, and even that was daunting.

"It's hard to block it out,'' the South African said. "It becomes a mind game. Playing against Mickelson is tough. It's like an extra club in his bag.''

Goosen will find out, for he and Ernie Els will be playing with Mickelson the first two rounds. The two South Africans have combined to win five majors, yet they might easily be ignored in the presence of New York golf's adopted son.

Padraig Harrington can relate to the distraction of family battling cancer. He won his first U.S. tour event in 2005 as his father was dying of the disease. He missed the cut in three majors that year, and skipped the British Open at St. Andrews.

He found his greatest peace inside the ropes.

"You don't have to explain yourself on the golf course,'' Harrington said. "You got to remember, we're quite proficient at dealing with that little white golf ball, not quite as good about explaining our emotions.''

As for coping with endless cheers that figure to be louder than ever?

It's a U.S. Open in New York. Mickelson is used to that, and he loves it.