Questions abound this week as Tiger returns, U.S. Open looms

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The biggest question this week -- how will Tiger Woods play at the Memorial Tournament?

The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Muirfield Village?

Okay. The second thing.

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Goes without saying, doesn't it, that Jack Nicklaus is the first name that pops to mind. After all, he built the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley. There isn't a speck of grass, an event, an honor that isn't covered with his fingerprints.

But next on the list? Tiger Woods.

We'd be talking Tiger this week regardless of what's transpired the last seven months. Regardless of the neck injury. Regardless of whatever headline is screaming on TMZ or Radaronline.

That's pretty much what happens when you win four times -- including three in a row -- at the same place. Pretty much, too, when you're chasing Jack on several fronts. Pretty much when everyone's chasing you and especially now that your No. 1 ranking is -- for the first time in ages -- vulnerable.

But wait. We also have his struggles off the tee and the injury WD at THE PLAYERS Championship. That pie-in-the-sky battle everyone wants to see with trusty No. 2 Phil Mickelson, who's having a spat with his driver too.

And there's that little event two weeks down the road -- the U.S. Open. At Pebble Beach, where Tiger won by what felt like a skillion shots last time around.

So we enter the week wondering if the two best players in the world have figured things out. If Tiger's facet joints have calmed down and if his swing has changed post Hank Haney. Could we see a vintage 2000 swing? A Butch Harmon influence? A tweaked Haney?

And what about Phil? He may have won the Masters, but he just missed his first cut in years Friday at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. His driving accuracy? A mere 49 percent on the year. And Tiger? He's at 52 percent.

They're both making life difficult for themselves and, well, that's something they don't need at Muirfield Village, let alone Pebble in two weeks. So, yes, they'll have us talking about that, too. Will they have it figured out? Will they contend? Or will they miss the cut? More important are they on track for the second major of the year?

A year ago, Woods put on a clinic to win his fourth Memorial. He hit 14 greens. He birdied the last two holes to come from behind and beat Jim Furyk. Another classic.

But now? Who knows? This is only his fourth tournament of the year. He debuted with a T4 at the Masters, missed the cut at Quail Hollow and WD-ed with a neck injury in the final round at PLAYERS.

As for Mickelson, again, who knows? He won the Masters, finished second at Quail Hollow and went to work after a T17 at PLAYERS. Then he missed the cut at Colonial and went back to work. And, his best finish here was a T4 in 2006.

So, yes, they're both on our minds. But they shouldn't be the only ones.

Rory McIlroy is back in the States for the first time since following his Quail Hollow win with a missed cut at THE PLAYERS. The kid with the curls and the amazing game is on his run-up to Pebble too.

Furyk, who won here in 2002, may have missed the cut at Colonial, but he's got a pair of wins this season, a U.S. Open on his resume' and, well, he has four top 10s at Muirfield Village to go with that 2002 win.

Zach Johnson is coming off an incredible weekend of putting, while Brian Davis is waiting for karma to kick in. He hasn't had luck at this course, but after his second runner-up finish of the year at Colonial, well, could it be his turn?

Kenny Perry has won here three times and it wouldn't be a bad place to win again, not only jump start his Open run, but also his August debut on the Champions Tour.

What about Ernie Els? Two early wins this season and a quiet share of third at the Valero Texas Open . . . And, he did win here in 2004. Or Valero champ Adam Scott. Is he back?

And what about this season, period? It's been filled with surprises, so what about a guy like Bo Van Pelt, who has been having a solid season? Or Geoff Ogilvy? Or David Duval? Or Chris Smith, who received a sponsors exemption Saturday?

Yes, it's one of those seasons. The more we keep an eye on Tiger and Phil, the more often we're surprised. But they'll be front and center -- and on opposite Skins Games teams Wednesday -- at Jack's house this week.

So will Mark Calcavecchia, who turns 50 on June 12. This will be -- we think -- Calc's swan song on the PGA TOUR. It's the tournament where he met his wife, who grew up in nearby Bexley. She's tossing a party for him this week and the fans will too. He's never won here, despite four top 10s, but if he can work out his current putting woes? Well, that would be pretty sweet.

But the bottom line? Until further notice, we're watching Tiger and Phil. A win for either one? Well, let's not get too far ahead. We really want to see how those swings are coming along. After all, Pebble beckons.

Melanie Hauser is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.