Beautiful, different and interesting”. That's how Sergio García defined Chambers Bay, an American links course close to Seattle and unique venue for the US Open, the second major of the year. "It'll be like playing a British Open, but in the United States and with 20 degrees warmer," said Rory McIlroy, world number one, and favorite in the betting on a course which Mike Davis, President of the USGA and responsible for toughening up this major as much as possible, said: "You need to play at least ten rounds to understand it."

The steep slopes and wind will be the natural defenses of the American Saint Andrews, where making less than a putt on its almost invisible and undulating greens will be mission impossible. A result close to par is expected. Chambers Bay will also be the judge of the duel between McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, owner of the Green Jacket from Augusta. "If you don't win the first major, you can't achieve the Grand Slam and I have. So I'm facing the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm focused," said the 21-year-old from Dallas, ranked number two in the world, who reveals one of his secrets: "You have to be inventive."

The fact that Chambers Bay looks like a course from the British Isles is greatly pleasing to McIlroy: "I've been playing links courses since I was seven years old, so I won't have to adapt my game much. It demands hitting long drives and putting well. It's also true that it punishes even the smallest mistake." At 26 years old, Rors aspires to his fifth major of his life (two PGA, one British, and one US Open).

Taciturn Tiger Woods arrives in 195th place in the world rankings, trying to reinvent himself every time he steps onto a tee. "I want to be competitive and win. That's why I play," and Tiger reminds us: "I have three of these (US Opens)". In total, he has 14 majors (Nicklaus has 18).

Spaniards. And there are two Spaniards: Sergio and Jiménez. The one from Borriol has been working on changes to his putting. And if it works, with his good long game, he can perform very well in Chambers Bay. Pisha, at 51 years old, arrives with a smile, as always: "I enjoy what I do. I like my life and playing golf."