Can Tiger Tame The U.S. Open?

It would be difficult to concoct a better buildup for Tiger Woods heading into the U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. If confidence and momentum count for anything, and they should, he could be the man to beat.

The 23-year-old Woods is coming off consecutive victories at the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Germany and The Memorial at Muirfield Village in Ohio.

In the former, he received a $1 million appearance fee but turned back a strong field that included Colin Montgomerie, Ernie Els, Nick Price, Mark O'Meara, Ian Woosnam and Jesper Parnevik. Woods was on top of his game from start to finish and won by three strokes after rounds of 69-68-68-68.

Last week, Woods leaned on his short game to beat a stellar field at The Memorial, his second PGA Tour victory this season. He out-distanced Vijay Singh down the stretch, making several remarkable par saves, and served notice his game might be peaking at precisely the right time.

Three days before The Memorial, Woods played Pinehurst and got his first look at the No. 2 course. He pronounced it long, deceiving and exciting around the greens, which should play into his hands the way he's driving, chipping and putting.

"It was very interesting," Woods said. "Some of the tee shots were blind and I could see hitting a lot of 3-woods if the fairways firm up. You could see the rough line around the greens -- they might cut it shorter than the fairways, which will create a lot of sticky bump and run shots. The contours were more severe than I thought."

And the rough?

"Hardly any," he said. "Very playable."

Most think Pinehurst's strength is its demanding approach shots, which must hold table-top greens sprinkled with shelves. In many cases, players won't be able to aim for the pins Â… the smart one's, anyway.

Given his erratic iron play at The Memorial and his occasional struggle with distance control, you can bet those were his top priorities this week during his Florida tune-up with swing coach Butch Harmon.

This will be Woods' fifth U.S. Open appearance, his third as a pro. He tied for 18th last year at the Olympic Club and tied for 19th the previous year at Congressional Country Club. In each case his demise was making a big number(s). His putter let him down last year.

Woods seems to have regained feel and confidence with his flat stick, a good omen for Pinhurst. He also knows the tournament isn't won until Sunday afternoon and there is no need for early heroics.

This is an endurance test, especially in North Carolina, where the heat and muggy conditions are sure to drain players.

"The biggest thing I've learned is patience and understanding that your 100-yard-and-in game has to be pretty good to win," said Woods. "You're not going to hit every fairway."

"The best example of that I've ever seen was at Winged Foot during the 1997 PGA Championship. Davis Love III and I were playing with Justin Leonard and he hit three greens on the back nine and shot 1 under. He didn't make a bogey and finished second."

"He's not every long off the tee and was kind of spraying it. But he knocked his recovery shots within four or five feet and made all of them. Davis and I were just shaking our heads."

Woods is riding a hot streak into North Carolina. (AP)

As usual, the USGA has converted two reachable par-5s into treacherous par-4's -- the 485-yard eighth and 489-yard 16th -- reducing par to 70. On the surface, that would seem to hurt Woods because of his extraordinary length. Not so, he insisted.

"I actually think I have more advantage," Woods said, "because the par-4's are 480. Some guys won't be able to reach them in two. I think guys who hit the ball a long way have an inherent advantage."

When Woods played Pinehurst, the fairways and greens were soft, which is sure to change during the tournament. For the record, he reached the 566-yard par-5 fourth in two with a driver and 2-iron, but came up 50 yards short at the 610-yard par-5 10th with a driver and 3-wood.

Of course, if Woods can't reach the green in two, who can?

This could the best frame of mind Woods has ever had entering a major championship. He's up-beat, relaxed and no longer carries the burden of being the No. 1 player in the world. David Duval has wrested that away from him.

Woods claims he couldn't care less and all that matters are wins. If he keeps accumulating them, the rest will take care of itself. He hasn't won a major since the 1997 Masters and is determined to add No. 2 at No. 2.

Judging from his recent performances, you have to like his chances.