Tiger Hopes to Return for U.S. Open


After "irritating" his troublesome left knee and Achilles tendon during his first shot in the opening round of last week's Players Championship, Tiger Woods made it through nine holes before withdrawing from the $9.5 million event.

His first return to competition since the Masters wasn't auspicious; Woods was 6-over par through nine holes before pulling out.

In the Masters, Woods suffered a Grade 1 mild medial collateral ligament sprain to his left knee and a mild strain to his left Achilles tendon while hitting an awkward second shot from the pine straw on the 17th hole in the third round.

On Monday, Woods said that the latest tweak to his knee and tendon will require rest, cold-water therapy and soft-tissue treatment, all of which he already had been receiving.

"Aggravating my injury is very disappointing," Woods wrote on his website, www.tigerwoods.com. "I'll do whatever is necessary to play in the U.S. Open, and I'm hopeful I can be there to compete."

The website also noted: "There is no definitive time frame for healing, but Woods will likely play in the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, June 16-19. It is doubtful he will compete in the Memorial Tournament while he undergoes rehabilitation and works on strengthening his leg. Playing prior to the U.S. Open will be a week-to-week decision."

The Memorial, which Woods has won four times, with the last victory in 2009, will be played June 2-5 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The U.S. Open at Congressional near Washington D.C. is set for June 16-19.