Tiger on the prowl as Ohio looms large

TIGER WOODS is looking to step up his comeback from injury when the Memorial Tournament in Ohio gets under way today.

The world number one will compete for the first time since last month’s Players Championship at the event hosted by Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin.

The American is still working his way back to top form after an eight-month lay-off following knee surgery as he chases his second victory since his return.

“I’m really looking forward to competing again at the Memorial Tournament and I’ve been working hard on my game since the Players Championship,” said the 33-year-old, who won the tournament in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

The 14-time major winner underwent reconstructive surgery on his left knee last June, which ruled him out of last year’s tournament, but he has recorded five top-10 finishes, including victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, in six Tour starts since returning to fitness.

“I just need to fine-tune everything. My reconstructed left knee enables me to finally make the swing that my instructor, Hank Haney, and I have been working on for years.”

Woods also has an eye on the defence of his US Open crown later this month.

He dramatically beat Rocco Mediate on the first hole of sudden-death play-off to claim last year’s title, despite being severely hampered by his knee problem.

“The US Open will be here soon. I’m definitely going to try to go to Bethpage to play and take a look at the course. They’ve made a few changes since I won there in 2002 and I want to check them out,” he added.

First up, though, is the Memorial and Woods will face stiff competition from last year’s winner, Kenny Perry.

The Kentuckian, like Woods, has tasted success three times at Muirfield Village. The pair are the only two players to have achieved that feat.