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U.S. Open distractions? Tiger Woods has seen it all

Mike Downey | In the wake of the news

June 11, 2008

SAN DIEGO

Possible distractions for Tiger Woods in his return to golf:

•The nude beach.

•The hockey backlash.

•The hole the Lakers are in.

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•Having to walk 18 holes.

•Having to play the first 36 with Phil Mickelson.

Woods addressed these matters and more Tuesday morning at Torrey Pines while pronouncing himself "good to go" for the U.S. Open, his first competitive golf in two months since a surgeon put a shank and a slice into his left knee.

He hasn't been in a tournament since the final round of the Masters on April 13, but the time has come for Tiger to test the paw, walk the walk and shoot for a 14th championship in a major.

First things first: Let's talk about the golf.

Question: "If this hadn't been a major, would you have played?"

Woods: "Yeah."

Question: "Do you feel like your knee is fully recovered, or are you still holding back when you play?"

Woods: "Is it fully recovered? Probably not."

Question: "Have you walked 18 holes since that Sunday in Augusta?"

Woods: "No."

Question: "Is there anything in your game that you maybe have to adjust?"

Woods: "I'm good to go. I plan on playing competitive. Come game time on Thursday, I'll be ready."

Game time.

That's the way he looks at it. Showtime. Tip-off. A chance to get back in action and hit a few shots, not unlike his good friend Ken Griffey Jr., who came back from a number of serious injuries and teed off on his 600th career home run Monday night.

Milestones are out there to be reached. Woods has an eye on Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships, but his knee has to cooperate.