The 2014 U.S. Open starts today, June 12, like it has for 114 years before. Golf's top players, from the pro and amatuer ranks, are arriving at Pinehurst in North Carolina to compete for golf's second grand slam of the year.

Will a  tour veteran come away with the hardware, or, as has happened at this event many times before, will a first time major winner be the one smiling on the last green?

If you like to see a veteran win, then you almost have to be cheering for Phil Mickelson.  

He has finished second, six times at the Open, which sets the record by two.  In fact, since he won the British Open, the only major he doesn't have is the US Open.  

"I would look at my career," Mickelson told the NY Times, "in a whole different light if I were able to get that fourth one."

Only five men have achieved the modern grand slam over their careers: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods.

With insider trading accusations leveled against him, and many thinking now would be a tough time for the left-handed swinging golfer to pull it off, it would make a great story to see him win the thing.

The sure thing from this years tournament is that Tiger Woods will not win.  He is sidelined by a back injury and has not given a return date.  

Another star who has been contending with injury lately, dispelled rumors of ill health when he talked to the Belfast Telegraph after arriving at Pinehurst yesterday.

Reports of a knee issue were dismissed by Rory McIlroy who said he had been tuning up for the open by playing at Pinehurst last week.  

"The knee is absolutely fine," he said.

McIlroy is the favorite of many, but even he isn't expected to bring in a number well under par.

The course has hosted the Open twice before, and has been redesigned since the last time it hosted in 2005, adding over 400 total yards.  Payne Stewart won in 1999 at 1-under-par 279 and Michael Campbell was victorious in 2005 at even-par.  The course was originally designed by famed course designer Donald Ross in 1901.

"The redesign at Pinehurst was sensational, I think incorporating the native areas was just so well done," Phil Mickelson, who also played the course last week told USA Today.

"It is an extremely long golf course. I was shocked at how many tees were moved back and how far they moved them back and hitting 4-, 5- and 6-irons exclusively into those greens became very, very difficult to the point where not many people are going to hit greens. I liked it because the short game becomes a factor. I feel like if we all miss every green, I feel like I've got the best chance," he said.

Last year's champ Justin Rose told the USGA's Beth Major that he doesn't think of himself as a 'defending champion', and that he plans to come out and play aggressive, and go for another victory.

"I don't even like that word, defending,because it puts you in already behind the eight ball.

You don't want to be out there being defensive at all," he said.

There are so many sleepers in the field, that the tournament should be great to watch. 

TV live broadcast Schedule: (All Times EST)

June 12  9am - 3pm  ESPN, 3- 5pm NBC, 5-6 pm EPSN 2, 6-7pm ESPN

June 13  9am- 3pm ESPN, 3-5pm NBC, 5-7pm ESPN

June 14  12-7:30pm NBC

June 15  12-7:30pm NBC

A special send-off for NBC's final U.S. Open broadcast is planned, since they are turning coverage over to FOX next year after 33 years at the tournament.

Live Stream 

You can also watch the PGA Tour's action live stream online or via your iPhone, iPad and Android devices at USOpen.com. 

Radio

ESPN Radio will cover the US Open all four days. Fans can listen to the ESPN radio broadcast online at ESPNRadio.com or via the ESPN Radio app. 

Check out the Tee Times and Leaderboard on the US Open official website.