US Open 2020: Tiger Woods Says Winged Foot Is One Of The Three Hardest Jobs In The World

Tiger Woods won the US Open in 2000, 2002 and 2008

Tiger Woods ranks Winged Foot as one of the three most difficult courses in the world as he prepares for this week's US Open.

The Championship makes a fifth visit to the New York track, only once has the winning score been below par.

"It's up there next to Oakmont and Carnoustie as far as sheer difficulty without doing anything about it," said Woods, a three-time US Open champion

Woods missed his first part in a major as a professional when Winged Foot last hosted the US Open in 2006.

The came a month after the death of his father, Earl, and although he refused to use that as an excuse, 14 years ago he admitted on Tuesday that he was not fully prepared.

"When I didn't win the Masters that year, it was really hard to accept, because that was the last event. my dad would see me play someday, "said the 44-year-old.

" He died not long after that and, frankly, when I got ready for this event, I got there not really put in time. I didn't really practice and because of that I missed the cut quite easily.

Woods finished in 12th place after his two rounds in 2006. Australian Geoff Ogilvy eventually won the tournament on five over.

" The winning scores have never been low. I see that this week is not changing, "he said.

" The golf course will be difficult. It depends how hard they want to set up these pins, give us a shot. But with the prediction it will be difficult anyway. "

Woods will be joined by fellow countrymen Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa for the first two days in New York. ]

Morikawa was only nine years old. 2006, but arrives at the Mamaroneck site as a major champion, having won the US PGA Championship last month.

"I think you're walking like a great champion here, you feel like you know how to get things done, "said the 23-year-old.

" Yes, I only did it once, but I did it. You just want more. You get a taste of what it's like, and you know why guys mark the most important championships for the year in their calendar.

"I don't wake up every day to realize," Yes, I'm a great champion. "I realize we're at the US Open, let's go win another tournament. "

World number two Jon Rahm, hoping to become the first Spanish winner of the major, has predicted a new winning score above par if the harsh conditions prevail this week.

"I might say in the past that this type of golf wasn't my bread and butter, but based on the two events I won this year, I'm pretty much there ready for, said Rahm, who won the Memorial Tournament and BMW Championship this year.

"I've always thought US Open is the type of golf course I can to win. I know my game can win on any golf course, but if you play well it becomes a mental challenge, so I welcome that one.

"Plus, I'm not going to lie, there's always something extra special about possibly being the first Spanish player to win a US Open. That would be great. So it's a little bit an extra motivation to play well this week and do what I have to do. "