Hungry Tiger eager to prowl on Bethpage's hunting ground

FARMINGDALE, New York: Tiger Woods is eagerly anticipating his return to Bethpage Black for next month's US Open, a venue where he will be defending the US Open title in familiar and successful surroundings.

Woods won the tournament when it was first staged at the sprawling public course in 2002 and returns to Long Island as the champion after a thrilling 19-hole playoff triumph over Rocco Mediate last year at another public course, Torrey Pines.

"It was a great atmosphere when we played in 2002," Woods said in a conference call to reporters at the US Golf Association's media day at Bethpage on Monday.