Tiger to Win Quadruple-Double at Bethpage

(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

"There's different ways of playing. You can do what Angel did, hit driver every hill at Oakmont. If it works out, it works out, which it did. Or you can play a shorter, more conservative game."

"The whole idea of a U.S. Open is obviously to grind it out and make pars. How you do that, it's up to you. You just can't afford to make too many bogeys or doubles because you can't make birdies. So however you feel you can make a bunch of pars, I think that's what you're looking for."

Why have there been six different champions the last six years?

"The TOUR is so deep now. The margin between a player who is just barely on the TOUR at 125 to some of the top players, it's not that big anymore. It's very small."

"Technology has certainly helped a lot. We're so much better at getting the right ball, the right equipment that fits you and your particular swing. You don't have to adjust to the equipment like in years past."

Does this mean Tiger is a "gimmie" to win the 2009 U.S. Open and complete the quadruple-double?

"I like my chances in any major. I just enjoy having to think your way around a golf course. It's not -- a lot of the TOUR events we play you just have to make birdies. If you don't shoot 68 you're losing ground."

"Here if you shoot 68 you're moving up on the leader board. To me that's fun. Par is rewarded and a birdie is really rewarded. That to me, it's how the game of golf should be played."

"We all know that you shoot something under par you'll be looking pretty good."

"You have to be patient. You have to get the ball in play. And at least this week if you put the ball on the greens, you'll have a lot of good chances at birdies because the greens are relatively flat."

Tiger has picked up this year where he left off last year after an eight month absence due to the reconstructive surgery performed on his left knee.

After a warm-up in his first event back, Tiger has two wins (Arnold Palmer Invitational and Jack's Memorial Tournament) and four Top 10s in his last six tournaments.

How important is it to come into the U.S. Open playing well?

"It's always nice to play well going into a major championship, no doubt. To get a win always adds to the confidence, and no matter how you win, if you can win this way, ball-striking, hitting it that well, especially going into a U.S. Open, it always makes you feel pretty good."

The New York galleries will be behind the defending champion come rain or sunshine on the Black.

"To find energy from outside the ropes, sometimes that's a great thing."

Tiger Woods is "really looking forward to getting out there and competing and playing."

In limited play in the first round this morning he started out with four pars.

Then he followed a double bogey at No. 5 with a birdie at No. 6.

Then the rain suspended play for the day.

Game on- patience, determination, confidence and skill will enable Tiger to win this U.S. Open at Bethpage Black and complete the quadruple-double of Major Championship history.

Whether it takes 72 holes or an extra 19 like last year Tiger will be one closer to tying Jack for the best golfer of all-time.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering for the tournaments and working part time for NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and The Golf Channel. He resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. He enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it. He can be reached through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him to Andy@MrHickoryGolf.net

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