By RON KROICHICK, San Francisco Chronicle

Less than three years ago, John Daly stood center stage and tussled with the king. His electric duel with Tiger Woods, played before a large and enthusiastic gallery at San Francisco's Harding Park, vaulted Daly to No. 23 in the world rankings and restored some luster to his tarnished image.And look at him now.

SOUTHPORT, England -- Anthony Kim hits the Lancashire coast of England this week, plunging into the charm and history of the British Open for the first time. Kim will play on a tradition-rich links layout, Royal Birkdale, as he competes in the 137th edition of golf's oldest championship.But our story begins in a mall in Oklahoma.

Ten years later, Mark O'Meara happily returns to the place he cemented his golfing legacy -- the rolling sand dunes, flat fairways, whipping winds and striking white clubhouse of Royal Birkdale. The whole scene makes for a tidy complement to Augusta National.

Here's one way to view Tiger Woods' epic victory in last month's U.S. Open in San Diego -- it validated the concept of bringing marquee tournaments to the West Coast.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Rocco Mediate played in a charity event this week in Rhode Island and fans screamed his name and clamored for his autograph. Mediate played in a pro-am Wednesday in Michigan and elicited much the same response."I can't believe what I'm seeing," he said.

The grandstands surrounding the 18th green at Torrey Pines in San Diego filled hours before Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate arrived there Monday. The fans arrived on faith, not assured they would see any meaningful shots. They were hoping a U.S. Open full of terrific theater might squeeze out one last slice of suspense.

SAN DIEGO -- The democratic nature of the U.S. Open will be on full display in San Diego on Thursday. Three groups ahead of the roving pack of humanity shadowing Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the general sales manager of a Toyota dealership in Vallejo, Calif. will knock his ball around Torrey Pines.

As much as any sport this side of baseball, golf revels in its rich history. The U.S. Open comes to Pebble Beach and you can almost picture Tom Watson chipping in on No. 17 and merrily dancing onto the green. Any time the Open stops at the Olympic Club, its parade of big-name runners-up leaps to mind, from Ben Hogan to Arnold Palmer to Watson.

Tiger Woods is furiously rehabilitating his left knee, trying to make sure it cooperates as he chases his 14th major championship title. Phil Mickelson is dutifully making regular visits to Torrey Pines in San Diego, often carrying his own bag as he seeks to learn every nuance of a course he has played countless times in his life.

DALY CITY, Calif. -- Three years after bursting onto the scene at Pinehurst, N.C., where he charmed galleries as he surged into the final pairing in the final round, Jason Gore punched his return ticket to the U.S. Open on Monday at Lake Merced Golf Club.