Tiger Woods Crutches: How Will Tiger's Injury Affect US Open Play?

Tiger Woods Woods spoke Tuesday at Aronimink Golf Club to promote the upcoming AT&T National.

He was hoping nobody would ask about his leg, but of course, that wasn't going to happen.

We know he's got a good sense of humor when earlier today he tweeted about his upcoming press conference. 

"

Almost press conference time. I'll donate one million dollars to @TWFoundation if no one asks me about the leg.

"

Of course, the bet was off after the first question, but Tiger still let everyone know he was going to donate to his foundation anyways. Such a stand-up guy that Tiger is. He's never done a thing wrong in his life. Not. 

But hey, we all make mistakes and we learn to live with it. Some mistakes are bigger than others and naturally, some people are bigger than others.

Tiger had the misfortune of being super famous when he made his mistake. He suffered the consequences, and now he's just trying to go back to normal. 

We know this won't ever happen, though. 

At the press conference, Tiger was spotted with crutches as well as a protective boot on his left leg. Despite pain in his left knee, left Achilles' tendon, tightening in his calf and a sore lower back, Woods made it clear he is eying a return to the US Open on June 16 through 19. He did say that doctors have not mentioned anything about surgery. 

I really hope this doesn't start a trend for him of only playing in the major tournaments. His injury is a big set back in his hopeful return to dominance.

If it still lingers during the US Open, will he fight through the pain and finish like he did in 2008? 

Tiger did say today that he was more concerned about his health back in 2008 than he is now. Per Golf.com: 

"

"I'm a lot better off, Woods said. I feel that in the next week or so, I can start getting back toward that and start practicing pain free. That's where I'm at."

"

It seems pretty clear that Tiger will be playing in the US Open at Congressional. We know that he isn't a quitter, which means he's doing his all to not let this injury put a damper on his rise back to the top. 

Golf needs Tiger to return to his winning ways. We would like him to be dominant, but he doesn't have to be. He just needs to get over the hump and get a victory.

Whether it's a major tournament or one that is lesser known, golf needs Tiger to get a win. 

If he says he's better off than he was in 2008 when he won the US Open on a bum knee, then I really like Tiger's chances in mid-June.

I still think he will be in pain during the tournament, but he's a tough guy and will fight through it. After all, it is on the big stage and we know Tiger loves to be in spotlight.  

Tiger was in the thick of things at Augusta National earlier this year so we know his golf game is getting its strength back. Another week or so of rehab and you'll be hearing reports of Tiger back on the range whacking at golf balls. 

Oh wait, I whack at golf balls. Tiger crushes golf balls. Forgive me for that. 

In all seriousness, whenever Woods is on the course he has a fighting chance to win. It may no longer be Tiger or the field, but perhaps that is OK for now.

Let's just enjoy the game of golf. If we lift some of that pressure off of Tiger then maybe, just maybe, it will help him get that victory he has been longing for.