The hardest part of a marathon is the final few miles. The same can be said for a major golf tournament, especially one with as much clout as the U.S Open. It’s pressurized to the nth degree. Think the last few days were tough? It won’t compare to today. The final day of the U.S Open can cause even the most stoic of golfers to flinch. Those who win on a close final day must have water in their veins immeasurable by modern temperature scales.

Maybe I’m biased, but the U.S Open has always been my favorite of the four. No matter where it’s played, your guaranteed four of the toughest days on the PGA tour. It may not be a lot of fun for most of the guys on the links, but it sure does rev me up. We’ve finally hit the finish line on what has been a never ending weekend. Between wash outs, ticket fiasco’s, and Al Roker, golf has almost taken a back seat.

But not today.

Today, a national champion will be crowned. Today, the golf world will forget about rain coats and storm windows. Today, a so-so last four days has the potential to become a great fifth. And I’m not just saying this because I’m a golf lover or a PGA Tour hype man. Yes, I may be both of those things, but I’m willing to admit when the tournament is lack luster. I mean, didja read my column on Sunday morning?

I see real potential in this final day. Here’s a few things I’m watching out for.

1. The battle at the top will get more crowded. I promise. Rickey Barns and Lucas Glover are tied at -7. But a massive choke alert is in effect for both players. On Barns’ only hole of the fourth round (before darkness suspended play), I actually thought he was going to vomit on his tee. He bogeyed the hole, so it wasn’t cataclysmic disaster, but his body language did not look good. The swing on his tee shot looked like he was playing a round at his local community park, not leading the U.S Open. As I said, the final day of the U.S Open is not for the faint of heart. Based on the first hole of the fourth round, I don’t know if Barns has the composure or the fortitude to stay in the race.

Glover might have a better shot. He pared his only hole of the first round and swept into a first place tie in the process. I think we’ll get a real good feel for Glover in the first few holes of the day. Playing from behind is a different dynamic than playing with a share of the lead. Its hard to get a handle on how he’ll approach that situation. But if his third round is any indication, it may not be too good. His third round 70 was his worst of the week.

2. Phil Mickleson is back in it- I give Phil a lot of credit. At -2, he is five strokes back of two unproven leaders. A solid round and a not-so-gigantic tumble from the leaders and Phil could find himself at the top with a few holes to go. This will be an absolutely huge test for him. We know Phil’s pedigree. Pressure is not exactly “his thing”. But if he putts well, I see no reason why he can’t win this. Expect more than a few go for broke shot from Phil. He’s got nothing to loose. No mater what the outcome, this is Phil’s last go-around for quite some time. He has to go out without holding anything back. Phil-backers, get your pepto….

3. Believe it or not, David Duval is still hanging around- Ok, so maybe it’s not the great Duval resurgence I predicted yesterday but its still plausible. Duval is two under, five back. Nothing in the last few years has shown you that Duval can go toe to toe with a hot Phil Mickleson, but what if Phil blow it. I know, I know, when does Phil Mickleson ever disappoint? But stranger things have happened. If Phil gambles and looses, the door could open up for Duval. Don’t count this guy out…yet.

4. Is Tiger really still lurking- Whats more dangerous then Tiger Woods with a little momentum in his pocket? If you couldn’t find an answer, I’m right their with you. Ok, so he’s seven shots back. Ok, so he needed a birdie on the seventh hole of the final round to get back to even par. Yes, things look super grim for the worlds best player. But what would scare me a little about Tiger is the way he ended Sunday. He got back to even for the first time in what seemed like forever. Earlier in the tournament, he talked about his goal being getting back to par. He’s finally hit that goal. Now, with a fresh nights sleep and a situation he knows better then anyone on tour he has a little momentum. And if your Tiger, is their anyone who you look up at and shiver? Rickey Barns locked up on his first hole. Phil Mickleson chokes faster than a fat guy breaking a week long fast and David Duval has seeming emerged from a J.D Sallinger like hide away. The rest aren’t guys that scare you either. Look, the sun, moon, and stars have to align for Tiger to even be in serious contention with ten or less holes left in the final grouping, but I think if you completely count Tiger out your making a gigantic mistake.