Woods on track for US Open return

WASHINGTON: Tiger Woods is set to return at next month's US Open even though his recovery from a knee operation has sorely tested his patience, the world No 1 said on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old American had hoped to play in this week's Memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio, an event he has won three times, but decided he was not ready.

"The knee is doing better," said Woods at a media day in Bethesda, Maryland for the AT&T National tournament he hosts. "The rehab is working.

"I'm just trying to get this thing organized for the Open and I'm right on schedule for that.

"As far as the rehab (is concerned), it's basically right on pace. It's cautious, it's been slow, it's been boring but the leg is starting to gain some strength."

Woods said he was not yet without pain.

"I wouldn't say it's pain-free," added the 13-time major champion, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on April 15. "It is more stiffness than anything, trying to get the muscle to fire back and get those things developing again.

"The main thing right now is keeping my endurance up but it's hard to be patient. I always want to go all out. Sometimes it is hard for me not to do that but you've got to be smart about it and I've done that."

Not sharp

Woods, US Open champion at Pebble Beach in 2000 and at Bethpage Black in 2002, said his game was not sharp enough for this week's Memorial hosted by Jack Nicklaus.

"I started my practice basically just recently so going to the Memorial that rusty, it wouldn't have made any sense," he said.

"I didn't hit all my shots I needed to hit yet ... and make sure everything is organized. I wasn't quite ready and there is no sense in going there not ready. The whole idea is to be ready for the US Open."

With the Open starting in 16 days, Woods will be returning to action for the second major of the year after an eight-week break.

Two years ago he had a nine-week layoff while coping with the illness and death of his father Earl before missing the cut in a major for the first time as a professional in the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot.

This year's Open takes place at Torrey Pines outside San Diego from June 12-15.

Agencies

(China Daily 05/29/2008 page19)