Tiger targets U.S. Open return, if not sooner

Tiger Woods, the world's top-ranked golfer, said today that he hopes to return to PGA Tour competition by next month's U.S. Open, if not before.

But Woods made it clear in a teleconference with reporters that he would be satisfied if his next event is the season's second major championship, June 12-15 in La Jolla, Calif. Woods underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on April 15, two days after finishing second at the Masters, and has not been cleared by doctors to do any golf-related activities beyond chipping and putting.

"I'm just trying to get the leg organized enough to where I can play, and hopefully I can play before (the Open)," said Woods, who has not hit a shot longer than 30 yards since his surgery. "If not, if I can't play before, then hopefully at the Open."

If Woods returns before the Open, a likely spot would be the Memorial Tournament (May 29-June 1), where he is a three-time champion. But Woods clouded that possibility Monday, saying that, based on the current state of his rehabilitation efforts, he "couldn't compete against (fellow touring pros), unless we were playing a Putt-Putt course."

Woods drew a parallel to the 2006 season, when he missed several events following the death of his father before returning to compete at the U.S. Open, where he missed the cut.

"That was a totally different mental situation than now," Woods said. "Even when I came back for the (2006) Open, I probably wasn't ready to play yet. I was eager to get back ... but I wasn't ready to deal with all the things you have to deal with inside the ropes. It showed, and I played terrible. This time around, it's totally different. Everything in my life is doing great. I'm just trying to get the leg organized enough to where I can play. Hopefully, I'll start hitting balls and start progressing soon and working my way up the bag (toward hitting full shots)."

Hank Haney, Woods' swing coach, said during a recent interview that he would be surprised if Woods' surgery kept him out of the Open. The event will be played at Torrey Pines Golf Course, where Woods has won six Buick Invitational titles, the most recent on Jan. 27.

Asked during the EDS Byron Nelson Championship about his expectations for a Woods return, Haney said: "He's working hard ... I know he's really, really looking forward to playing (the Open) at Torrey Pines. He'll do everything in his power to be ready for that."

Woods said he is hoping the third knee surgery of his career, combined with a recent swing change, will minimize the stress he puts on his legs and lengthen his career. He said he accepts occasional surgeries as "the nature of playing sports" and a price he must pay to compete at golf's highest level.

"It's gotten better and, hopefully, it will continue to get better," Woods said.

_ Jimmy Burch