Tiger Woods has consistently reiterated his desire to play in the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. from June 16-19, despite injuries that have kept him out since the Masters, excluding a nine-hole debacle at the Players Championship. But there's a possibility his own faith in himself is waning.
In a press conference prior to his event, the Memorial Tournament, Jack Nicklaus let it slip that Woods told him he wasn't sure he would be healthy in time for the U.S. Open. Here's a transcript of Nicklaus' remarks.
Q. Given Tiger's injuries lately, how would you assess now, I know you get asked this all the time, but how would you assess his ability to --
JACK NICKLAUS: I would have no clue. Tiger called me Friday and he was trying to -- he said, I tried up until today to see if I'm going to be able to come and play, but I can't. He said, I'm still hobbling, and he said, I don't know whether I'm going to make the U.S. Open or not.
Nicklaus went on to say that he "suspects" Woods will indeed play, but that he wasn't so sure and knows nothing more beyond what is written. Still, this is definitely a story that bears watching as the event gets closer.