Len Hochberg

The eighth and final Signature Event of the season is here, and it offers one of the last opportunities for One-and-Done players to make a serious move in the standings. Since the start of the season in January, these Signature Events had to be planned for to best deploy the best players on the PGA Tour in hopes of securing as much of the $20 million purses as possible.

It's hard to win a U.S. Open. It's even harder when paired in the final group on Sunday with the world's No. 1 player staring you down for four-plus hours. It's harder still when the raucous New York galleries are cheering every bad shot you hit, even screaming for your ball to go in a bunker, while barely acknowledging your good shots. It was a Ryder Cup-like environment not far from where the Ryder Cup was played last year. Except the player being hounded was not European. He was an American.

The U.S. Open is the ultimate test of shot-making, mental strength and execution. There is almost zero forgiveness on a course as difficult as Shinnecock Hills. One poor shot can lead to a big number, and even a decent shot can at times be punished severely with all the false edges and giant slopes. Players have to let go of the last shot and look forward to the next one. Given the expected high winds in the forecast, the true grinders in golf are primed to shine.