Woods making baby steps

World number one could make early return

Last updated: 13th May 2008

tiger woods

Woods: Getting organized

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Tiger Woods has begun chipping and putting again and could be fit in time for a US Open warm-up at the Memorial in two weeks' time.

The world number one had knee surgery following the Masters in April, when he finished three shots behind winner Trevor Immelman.

Woods was hoping to be ready in time to compete in the second major of the season at Torrey Pines starting on June 12, but there is an outside chance he could return sooner with rehabilitation going well.

The situation is in stark contrast to two years ago, when Woods was absent for nine weeks following the death of his father, returning at the US Open only to miss the cut in a major for the first time.

"That was a totally different mental situation than I am now," Woods said. "Even when I came back for the Open, I probably wasn't ready to play yet.

"I was eager to get back and play and be in a competitive environment, but I wasn't ready to deal with all the things you have to deal with inside the ropes. It showed, and I played terrible.

"This time around, it's totally different," he said. "Everything in my life is doing great. I'm just trying to get the leg organized enough to where I can play, and hopefully, I can play before.

"If not - if I can't play before - then hopefully, at the Open."