Farmingdale, New York - Tiger Woods will be strong favourite
to win a second US Open in succession when the tournament begins
Thursday at Bethpage State Park.
An injury-hampered Woods claimed the 2008 crown in dramatic
fashion against Rocco Mediate, taking victory on the first sudden
death hole at Torrey Pines, after an 18-hole playoff on the Monday
ended all tied.
With major knee surgery now behind him, the 33-year-old, who is
only one of six players to have won three or more US Open titles,
will be looking to repeat his feat of 2002, when he won the Grand
Slam event the last time it was held at Bethpage.
Bethpage is one of the longest courses on the US circuit at more
than 7,400 yards and Woods was the only golfer to finish below par
seven years ago, registering three-under par total of 277 for his
four rounds, beating Phil Mickelson by three shots on the Long Island
course.
Woods is back on top form after his long injury layoff as
evidenced by his winning of the Memorial Tournament a fortnight ago
as he looks to move him within three wins of Jack Nicklaus' record 18
major championships.
Mickelson, meanwhile, will try to put the news of his wife Amy's
diagnosis with breast cancer to the back of his mind as he looks to
go one better than in 2002.
Woods will get his US Open campaign at Bethpage underway alongside
Masters champion Angel Cabrera and Ireland's Padraig Harrington,
winner of the British Open and US PGA last year.
Harrington will need to improve on his form so far in 2009, which
has seen the 37-year-old drop from number three to 11 in the world
rankings, thanks to missing four of his last five cuts.
Kenny Perry, for his part, says he has learned from his collapse
at the Masters two months ago and is looking to make amends this time
around and win his first major.
The 48-year-old veteran led the Masters by two shots with two
holes to play before bogeys at 17 and 18 saw him eventually lose a
playoff contested with fellow American Campbell and eventual winner
Cabrera.
'I know I can do it,' said Perry. 'It's just I've got to rethink
it a little bit when I'm coming down the last couple of holes and not
get ahead of myself. But I look forward to the challenge.'
Another veteran, 46-year-old Mediate, is also looking to put the
disappointment of having a major snatched from him in a playoff this
week.
'Bethpage is going to be a tremendously, unbelievably good test of
golf,' he said.
USA
Your Talkback on this Story