US Open 2013 Preview : Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy Square Off; PGA Golf Preview, TV Schedule, Live Stream, Tee Times, Leaderboard And More; First Round, 6:45 a.m ET

The 2013 U.S. Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, is about to get underway on Thursday at the historic Merion Golf Club (Coverage starts at 9 a.m Eastern Time).  But before the participating golfers take center stage, let's have a closer look at some important details that could shape up the play over the weekend.

Tiger Woods Hungry for Grand Slam Title

It's been mixed results for the world's top golfer weeks prior to his U.S. Open campaign. Woods captured his fourth win of the season at the Players Championship but he recorded one of the worst games in his stellar golfing career at the Memorial Tournament, where he recorded the poorest nine-hole score (eight over par 44) since turning professional.

Woods has also been bombarded with controversy as of late following reports that his former wife, Elin Nordegen, hates him and his relationship with world champion skier Lindsay Vonn. He has also traded barbs with fellow golfer Sergio Garcia but the two golfers already settled their score with a handshake during a practice session this week.

Despite all the distractions, Tiger is expected to come out strong on Thursday for the first round of the U.S. Open.  Woods is looking to end his five-year Grand Slam drought. The last time Tiger won a major title was at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

Behold the other favorites: Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Graeme McDowell  

McIlroy broke several records on his way to win his first majors title at the U.S. Open in 2008. Now, the Irish golfing sensation is looking for more glory as he attempts to bag his third Grand Slam of his career. Though his play has been shaky over the past few weeks, McIlroy has a great chance to blow by the competition again, knowing that he will have the same rain-soaked playing field as he had at Congressional two years ago.

Reigning Masters champion and former U.S. Open champion winner, Adam Scott, also enter Thursday's play with a huge chance at nabbing another majors title. Scott is expected to lean on the momentum that carried him to victory in Augusta, while McDowell has always been a threat at the U.S. Open, considering his performance in the tourney over the last three years: won in 2010, T14 in 2011, and T2 in 2012.

Pour it on: Saturated Merion Means More Birdies   

Merion will be the first golf course to host the U.S. Open measuring just less than 7,000 yards since Shinnecock Hills held the event in 2004. Yet, despite having a shorter course than other prestigious golf courses, Merion doesn't lack the history and prestige. With rain pouring over the past few days, many golf analysts expect a high-scoring field with lots of birdies at hand. For now, it all remains plainly as speculations. After all, there are still four rounds to play, four more rounds to commit errors and four more to achieve golfing immortality.

The trio of Roger Tambellini, Cliff Kresge, and Ryan Yip will officially kick off first-round play at 6:45 a.m ET while the high-profile group of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott will take their first tee at 1:45 p.m ET.

US Open Tee Times

Merion GC Tee #1

US Open TV Schedule

TV Schedule: WATCH THURSDAY: U.S. Open on ESPN, 9 a.m. ET | NBC, 3 p.m. ET

US Open Leaderboard

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US Open Radio Streaming

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US Open Analysis

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