The balance of power currently enjoyed by Europe and South Africa in the world of golf will receive its sternest test at Congressional this week when the US Open comes to town.

Not since the US Masters was afforded major championship status in the 1930s have four successive grand slam titles all been held by non-Americans.

But after  Graeme McDowell’s win at Pebble last year in this championship, Louis Oosthuizen’s magnificent win at St.Andrews last July, Martin Kaymer’s thrilling US PGA success and Charl Schwartzel’s unbelievable four-birdie finish to the US Masters to win a green jacket, that record could well be extended in America’s capital city.

Even though the Americans will be desperate to claim their national title, I confidently expect their famine to continue because I can’t see the rest of the world having the bit ripped from its teeth at golf’s second oldest championship.

Congressional is in magnificent shape and should be perfect for anybody who can keep out of the rough this week.  The fairways are reasonably generous and it is imperative to hit them because par is going to be a good score this week.   Anybody who can keep those typical US Open doubles off their card and sneak a birdie here and there is going to be in with a shout.

I honestly believe that several of our players will feature in the mix come Sunday afternoon and all our representatives are looking good and confident coming into the event Graeme McDowell claimed last year at Pebble Beach.

With Tiger still struggling with injury, this is going to be the most open Open for many a season and I’ll be keeping you up to date with the ISM stable’s fortunes for the next four days until one of them hopefully lifts up the trophy on Sunday evening.