Tiger Woods expects some "ping pong back and forth" on the greens at US Open

Tiger Woods claims there could be some "ping pong back and forth" on the greens at Pinehurst No.2 for the US Open this week.

Speaking to the media after his practice round on Tuesday, the 15-time major champion claimed that the severity of the speed could cause people to putt off greens.

Pinehurst No.2 is a notoriously tough test of golf, and when US Open week comes around, things get turned up a notch. 

While the greens boast a generous surface area, the speed and intricacy of the slopes could lead to a plethora of three-putts and some dauntingly high scores. 

The Donald Ross design is one of America's great golfing masterpieces, and in the hands of the USGA, it looks set to be a devilish test for the best golfers in the world.

2023 US Open Champion Wyndham Clark has already voiced his concerns over the setup, claiming earlier this week that the greens were already borderline.

While Woods didn't exactly echo Clark's fears, he did reaffirm just how tough it will be when play starts tomorrow morning.

Scroll below for Woods' comments...

Woods told reporters:

"There's a lot of different shot selections, and the grain is going to play a big part of it. The last few days playing practice rounds - I'm guilty as well as the rest of the guys I've played with - we've putted off a lot of greens. It depends how severe the USGA wants to make this and how close they want to get us up to those sides.

"But I foresee just like in '05 watching some of the guys play ping-pong back and forth. It could happen."

Videos have already surfaced online of players using a wide variety of clubs around the greens to get the ball close to the hole, and Woods went on to claim he's even been chipping with a four-iron to try and tame the slick surfaces. 

Woods added:

"There are a few areas in which I would putt. There are also a few areas in which I would use my 56 or 60. I have used up to a 4-iron bump-and-running it, and I've tried a few woods out there."

Discussing the original design of the course, Woods went on to claim that it probably plays a little differently than Donald Ross had originally planned. 

The three-time US Open champion said:

"When Donald did this golf course and made the greens this severe, I don't think he intended it to be running at 13 on the stimpmeter. They were the speed of fairways.

"That's one of the differences when we go to most golf courses, is they're very severe, and we're playing under faster conditions. It's more of a test. It's going to be a great test and a great war of attrition this week. It's going to be a lot of fun for all of us."
 

Woods will be looking to win his 16th major championship this week and fourth US Open. In the opening round, he will play with Will Zalatoris and 2022 US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick.

The grouping starts on the 10th tee and begins its round at 7:29 AM (ET).

Scottie Scheffler is the out-and-out favourite this week after his win at The Memorial last week, but there will be a whole host of in form players looking to upset his current hot streak.

Xander Schaufffele, hot off his maiden major win at the US PGA, will be hoping to double his major tally, and likewise, LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau will be hoping to do the same and build on his US Open win in 2020. 

There will be 12 LIV Golf players in the US Open field.

Jon Rahm had to withdraw due to a foot infection.