June 11 Woods looks ready

If Tiger Woods wins the 108th US Open Championship, it will be the biggest kick in the proverbials that professional golfers have ever felt; because on the eve of the second major of the year, it has become patently clear he is not 100 % fit. Let’s face it, if the world number one can win major championships on one leg then what hope has anyone else got of ever catching him?

He has not walked 18 holes since the Sunday at Augusta and his knee will be heavily strapped when he sets out on Thursday, playing alongside Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott.

“I’m good to go,” said Woods on the eve of the Championship. “Come game time, I’ll be ready.”

He did admit that his knee was “a little sore” but added “it’s not anything I haven’t dealt with before”.

Woods of course is the overwhelming favourite for the event, having won six Buick Invitationals around the South course at Torrey Pines. One of his playing partners, Phil Mickelson, certainly wasn’t letting on if he felt the rest of the field had a better chance, with a wounded Tiger out there.

“I just don’t see how it’s going to be a problem,” said Mickelson. “I think that players in any sport have to deal with injuries. And I just can’t see a player make adjustments easier than Tiger.”

Tiger reckoned his daughter, Sam, who will be one next Wednesday, was as important to his recovery as any doctor or physiotherapist. “There’s no way I could have gotten through this without her being there,” he said. “Spending that much time off and away from training and trying to get better, Sam was absolutely incredible, and I had so much fun doing that. It took my mind away from the fact that I had a surgery done, and just watching her grow, walking, running now, it’s been just the greatest thing in the world.”