Hobbled Tiger shooting for U.S. Open

His left leg is atrophied, he's been wearing a boot for a week to protect his Achilles tendon and is walking with crutches. Undaunted, Tiger Woods said Tuesday he is targeting the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16-19 for his return to the golf course.

"As far as being ready for [the Open], I will do everything I can," said Woods, who withdrew from The Players Championship after nine holes on May 12 because of pain in his oft-damaged knee and tendon. "All my docs have said is it should be ready to go by then, should be good to go."

Where the career of the former undisputed No. 1 golfer in the world goes after Congressional is to be determined. "I'd much rather take it slow and see how I progress, take it on a week-to-week basis," Woods said. "I'm trying to hopefully get ready for the Open, and anything beyond that, I don't know."

The 35-year-old Woods, who has dropped to No. 12 in the rankings, was not wearing the boot or employing the crutches during an appearance at Aronimink Golf Club in suburban Philadelphia, where the AT & T National, which benefits his foundation, will be held from June 30-July 3.

"I've had four surgeries on [the knee], so obviously it's not what it was when I was little," Woods said, adding that knee replacement surgery has not been discussed. "I'm sure down the road it may be more difficult, but hopefully I'll be in a cart by then on the Senior Tour. But between now and then, I should be pretty good."

Woods conceded that he "probably" came back too early for The Players. "That's one of the reasons I just completely shut it down this time. I was borderline and I tried to play and unfortunately it didn't quite work out that well."

Asked if he needed to be pain free to play Congressional, Woods said: "I haven't been pain free for a long time, so thank God there is Ibuprofen."

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