Tue May 27 17:34:26 2008

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Woods on schedule for U.S. Open

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Bethesda, MD (Sports Network) - Tiger Woods said on Tuesday he is making progress in his recovery from left knee surgery and is on schedule to play at next month's U.S. Open.

"As far as the rehab, it's been just right on -- basically right on pace," said Woods, who is skipping this week's Memorial tournament. "It's cautious. It's been slow. It's been boring, but the leg is starting to gain some strength."

Woods missed the Memorial, Jack Nicklaus' tournament, in 2006 after the death of his father Earl, but won the event from 1999-2001.

"I wasn't ready. I started my practice basically just recently," said Woods, who spoke at media day for the AT&T National that he will host at Congressional Country Club from July 3-6. "So going to Memorial that rusty, it wouldn't have made any sense. I wasn't sharp enough. I didn't hit all my shots I needed to hit yet at home and make sure everything is organized. I wasn't quite ready. So no sense in going there not ready. The whole idea is to be ready for the U.S. Open."

The U.S. Open, this year's second major tournament, will take place at Torrey Pines near San Diego, June 12-15. The course has been a place for success for Woods, as he has won six times there, including an eight-stroke victory at the Buick Invitational in January of this year.

"I'm hitting the driver," Woods said. "I'm playing. If it is a feel thing, I shut it down when I feel it is time to shut it down. It's on a day-to-day deal. Some days it is not very long. Some days it is all day."

The last tournament for Woods was The Masters, when he finished in second place to Trevor Immelman last month. He then had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee April 15.

"I wouldn't say pain-free," Woods said of the knee. "It is more stiffness than anything. Trying to get the muscle to fire back and get those things developing again. That's the main thing right now is keeping my endurance up."