Tiger Woods looks fit in U.S. Open practice round

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 Woods had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee two days after the Masters, they wouldn't have known by the way the world's top-ranked golfer played the South Course's front nine in a practice round.

"He didn't say 'Ow' to me, so it must be good," said Bubba Watson, who played in a group with Woods and amateur Jordan Cox from Stanford.

Woods pulled out after nine holes, spent time on the putting green and 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 media.

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

On Wednesday, Woods played his first round since his April 15 surgery, getting in 17-plus holes riding in a cart. He played in virtual solitude that day amid tight security, with no media or spectators allowed on the course. He stopped when he saw a small group of people with cameras waiting around the 18th green.

On Monday, Woods scrambled in and out of bunkers and crushed some drives.

Woods didn't putt out on every hole. He looked fit and 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 has been dominating at Torrey Pines dating to his days playing in the Junior World Golf Championships. He has won the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines six times, including four in a row.

Wie qualifies

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Despite playing 36 holes on a humid day with temperatures nearly reaching triple digits, Michelle Wie was smiling as she sat down with the media.

Qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open will do that.

Playing on two different courses, Wie carded rounds of 70 and 67 and her 137 total was the second-best score on the day and more than enough to qualify her for the 2008 Open, which starts June 26 at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn.

"It feels good to be playing good again," said Wie, who has struggled with her game for much of the last year.