First of all, the good news is that I am going to play the US Open. My chances of teeing up at Bethpage State Park's Black course looked bleak last week. I must have done some harm to my intercostal muscles during the final round of the European Open and played at the Celtic Manor with lots of help from the physios and pain-killers.

It was so bad last week that I wasn't even able to laugh. The whole rib-cage area was hurting and I thought I had either cracked a rib, or tore some muscle. However, a CT scan has ruled out both the injuries, so I think it must have been a sprained muscle. I am still hurting, but it is much better. I have done very light training and practice so far.

I don't know whether that would be good for my game or not, but I am delighted that I am at least playing. I have a feeling that this might work to my advantage. I am feeling fresh and not stressed out. As is the case with any other US Open, the golf course has been set up by the USGA in a very demanding fashion and you need to concentrate on each and every shot.

The best thing about this injury is that I will not be trying too hard on the golf course. And I always seem to play well when I have some problem, like I did at last year's PGA Championship where I posted a top-10 finish despite a nagging ankle injury. I will also be mindful of hitting the ball into the rough, which is really thick and penal.

It feels great to be back at the Bethpage Black, which was the site of my Major championship debut in 2002 when the US Open was played here for the first time. It was one of the longest and toughest golf course I ever experienced in my career till then. Well...we have had longer courses since then, but Bethpage will once again be a very tough test. It's been raining quite a bit in the New York area and the fairways are soggy. So, it will play long. And the rough is extremely thick. The only good thing is that in 2002, the rough started as soon as the fairway ended. This year, we at least have a first cut.

Almost every top player is here, but the spotlight will be firmly on Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Woods won here in 2002 and is also the defending US Open champion. Given the way he won at Torrey Pines last year, and the dominating performance in winning the Memorial recently, Woods will start as the pre-tournament favourite.

Mickelson has had a lot on his mind recently. His wife Amy had been diagnosed with breast cancer. He will be the sentimental favourite going into the event.