Woods hails the strength of Mickelson

TIGER WOODS has admitted he does not how rival Phil Mickelson will cope at this week’s US Open with the constant reminders of his wife’s serious illness.

Woods and Mickelson return to Bethpage Black in New York for the second major of the year, seven years after they duelled at the same course for 2002 US Open glory.

World number one Woods emerged a three-stroke victor on that occasion but it was second-placed Mickelson who had the majority of the New York crowd on his side during a raucous week as he sought an elusive first major title.