Woods tests his knee and U.S. Open course

Woods pulled out after nine holes. He didn’t speak to reporters, but he was seen scrambling in and out of bunkers and crushing some drives. He didn’t appear to favor his knee.

Associated Press

Last update: June 10, 2008 - 1:02 AM

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Open week arrived at Torrey Pines on Monday, when Tiger Woods had to share the city-owned course with fellow competitors and a gallery that grew at every hole.

If anyone didn’t realize that Woods had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee two days after the Masters, they wouldn’t have known by the way he played the South Course’s front nine in a practice round.

"He didn’t say ‘Ow’ to me, so it must be good," cracked Bubba Watson, who played with Woods and amateur Jordan Cox from Stanford.

The threesome teed off at about 7 a.m. under an overcast sky and with no wind coming off the Pacific Ocean. Woods pulled out after nine holes, spent some time on the putting green and then walked toward the Lodge at Torrey Pines at about 10:15 a.m., accompanied by two San Diego policemen, caddie Steve Williams and swing coach Hank Haney.

Woods didn’t speak to reporters, but he was seen scrambling in and out of bunkers and crushing some drives. He didn’t appear to favor his knee.

"I don’t think the surgery affected him at all," Cox said. "He’s hitting it really, really well right now."

Woods didn’t hit every fairway. He played mostly tee to green, not bothering to putt out on every hole. The three did spend time chipping and putting toward anticipated pin placements.

Most of all, he looked fit.

"He looked good," Haney said. "He’ll be OK. No problems so far."

Watson was asked what score would win.

"Whatever Tiger shoots," he said.

Etc.

Atlanta is losing its regular PGA Tour event year after four decades because it could not find a title sponsor, paving the way for the Valero Texas Open to move to the spring.

AT&T decided last year it would not renew its title sponsorship for the tournament, and the Atlanta Classic Foundation was unable to find a sponsor.

The Valero Texas Open, one of the oldest PGA Tour events, dating to 1922, is now part of the "Fall Series" of tournaments that come after the Tour Championship.