He's ambulatory, folks


Granted, it's just the first day of the U.S. Open and there are three more rounds to negotiate.

That said, Tiger Woods did pretty well for himself on Thursday. Yes, he was all over the place with three birdies and two double-bogeys that reduced what could have been a solid opening round to a 1-over par 72. Still, the way people were postulating about his health, it's a wonder he could finish 18.

Woods underwent knee surgery two days after the Masters, which explained in part why he faded from contention in that tournament. He hadn't played 18 holes since then until being grouped with Phil Mickelson for Thursday's opening round at Torrey Pines.

It really shouldn't come as any surprise if Woods wins this thing despite all of the doubts about the durability of his knee.

Bodog, the online gaming emporium, rated him as a 5-to-2 favorite going into the U.S. Open.

If any other player in the world had undergone knee surgery a little more than a month ago, you'd have to discount his chances. But Woods has shown time and again that he's not the typical player, that he borders on the bionic. He's far better conditioned than most of the players on the Tour and burns with competitive intensity at all times.

‘‘Guess I don't need a cart after all,'' Woods said Thursday after his round.

Guess he's not out of the U.S. Open picture either.

Discount him at your own risk.

As for me, I wouldn't write him off even if his clubs were replaced by gardening tools and he was forced to negotiate 18 while hopping on one leg.