Tiger may take off until US Open in June

[underpants]

Woods to take break while father battles illness

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2414980



WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Tiger Woods will take time off from the PGA Tour while his father battles cancer, the world's No. 1 player said Thursday.

Woods said it was possible he would not make an appearance in a golf tournament before the U.S. Open in June.

He did not give specific details of his planned break, except to say he would not start playing "for a while,'' and the failing health of his father, Earl, would have a major influence on his future schedule.

Woods said he would definitely seek his 11th major title in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, N.Y., from June 15-18.

[erpowers]

1. Pretty Good Thing

I feel sorry for Tiger. However, I think it is good that he is going to take time off to spend time with his dad. It seems like his dad might be getting worse. I hope he will be able to play well at the U.S. Open.

[Awsi Dooger]

2. Very unlikely to win the Open with that long of a break

Admirable move regarding his father but Tiger's game isn't sharp enough right now for that type of layoff. He needs to hit fairways in the Open and right now he's still got the rights off the tee.

Why is the Open planted in New York so often? I can think of Bethpage Black and Shinnecock within the past few years and now Winged Foot. Plus we had Pinehurst twice since '99 in North Carolina. Also there was Pebble Beach and the Olympic Club within the past 7 or 8 years and I know next year is Torrey Pines. Three states have monopolized a decade and it makes no sense to me.