KEY POINTS:
Tiger Woods expects to use his driver sparingly at next week's US Open on a tight Oakmont Country Club layout he rates as one of the toughest in golf.
The world number one returned to the daunting par-70 course in Pennsylvania on Monday and left with the same impression he gained when he played there for the first time in late April.
"It's probably the hardest US Open course I have ever played," Woods said in his monthly newsletter. "Driving will be a key. Most fairways are only about 26 yards wide and the rough is brutal in places.
"Given the speed and undulation of the greens, it will be difficult to hold the putting surfaces without playing from the short grass," added the 31-year-old American, US Open champion at Pebble Beach in 2000 and Bethpage Black in 2002.
"Plus, many of the fairways run out. I see myself hitting only five or six drivers and using a lot of stinger three-woods off the tee for position. It might leave me with longer clubs into the greens but at least I will be able to control the spin."
Next week, Woods will be hunting his third major victory in four starts and he relishes every opportunity to enhance his reputation as arguably the greatest player in history.
"I'm excited for the tournament," the 12-times major winner said. "We only have four major championships a year and this is what we play for, what defines your career.
"I've been fortunate to win two US Opens and would love to win another. My goal, as always, is to give myself a chance on Sunday afternoon."
A three-times winner on the PGA Tour this season, Woods has devoted this week to US Open preparation after tying for 15th at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio on Sunday.
"Peaking for a major championship is never easy," he said. "You try to do everything humanly possible to get ready, including rest, but you just never know until you get to the tournament.
"Despite a busy off-course schedule, I have trained hard and hope it pays off."
Woods has been grouped with defending champion Geoff Ogilvy and US amateur champion Richie Ramsay for the opening two rounds, while New Zealand's Michael Campbell, the 2005 US Open champion, will play with Japan's Ryuji Imaya and American Vaughan Taylor.
The US Open starts on Thursday when 7,230-yard Oakmont will host the second major of the year for a record eighth time.
- REUTERS, NEWSTALK ZB
