Doctors say that Tiger should be ready by then
Tiger Woods was at Aronimink Country Club in the suburbs of Philadelphia on Tuesday to talk about his tournament, the AT&T National. But there were more important topics to discuss — the state of Woods’ knee and his status for the U.S. Open.
Woods had good news, and bad. He said he expects to play in the U.S. Open on June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda. But that depends on whether his knee responds to rehabilitation. Since he withdrew from the opening round of the Players Championship on May 12, he has worn a protective boot and gotten around on crutches.
“As far as being ready for Congressional, I’m doing everything I can,” Woods told reporters. “All my docs have said it should be ready to go by then.”
| U.S. Open |
| When » June 16-19 |
| Where » Congressional Country Club, Bethesda |
| TV » NBC |
Woods said he expects to begin strength training late next week. He said it is “doubtful” that he will be ready to play in the Memorial, Jack Nicklaus’ tournament that annually serves as Woods’ warm-up for the U.S. Open. The event begins on June 2.
Woods, who suffered a knee strain in the third round of the Masters on April 9, said he might have come back too soon when he withdrew from the first round of the Players five weeks later. He limped off the course after shooting a 42 for nine holes and complained of pain in his Achilles, calf and troublesome left knee.
“I’ve had four surgeries on it, so obviously it’s not what it was when I was little,” Woods said of the knee. “I’m sure down the road it may be more difficult, but hopefully I’ll be in a cart by then on the senior tour.”
The knee has been a sore subject with Woods for years. In 2007, when he sat down for an interview with two reporters in a conference room at Congressional, one asked about his knee. Woods said, “Great,” then looked at the other reporter, anxious to move on and field question No. 2.
Less than an hour before Tuesday’s news conference, Woods tweeted “I’ll donate one million dollars to [Tiger Woods] Foundation if no one asks me about the leg.”
An hour later, Woods tweeted, “Bet was over after the first question but of course I’m going to give the money to the TWFoundation.” Reporters at the news conference confirmed through Woods’ associates that he made the donation.
After Woods’ limped to a signature win in a playoff against Rocco Mediate in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, he underwent reconstructive surgery on his left knee, which was fractured and had sustained significant ligament damage.
In 2009, Woods rebounded to win six tournaments, though no majors. But he hasn’t won since Nov. 2009, when several extra-marital affairs were revealed. In 17 PGA Tour starts over the last 13 months, Woods has finished better than 10th place on three occasions — the 2010 and 2011 Masters and last year’s U.S. Open.
Woods, 35, has won 71 times on the PGA Tour, with 14 of his titles coming in major championships. He needs four more to tie Jack Nicklaus’ hallowed record of 18.
“You just play through things,” Woods said. “There’s a difference between playing in pain and being injured.”
So which is it for Woods? The answer could become clearer next month when Woods attempts to capture his fourth U.S. Open title.
