IS TIGER READY?

Tiger Woods is still recovering from knee surgery as the draw for the first round pairings at US Open - the second major of the season - is made. So the question must be ask, is the greatest player in the game's history ready to claim his 14th major or is he back too soon?

Before the US Masters there was talk of a Grand Slam for the world number one in 2008 - of course that dream disintegrated when Trevor Immelman claimed the title at Augusta in April - now there are doubts as to if he will even see out the season. Tiger's third operation on the same knee in recent years is perhaps a sign of a chronic problem, will it affect his hunt of all of Jack Nicklaus's records?

On a brighter note for the man who seems to have everything - gorgeous wife, new born child, more money than he could ever spend and the admiration of millions of golfer and non-golfers around the world - this year's US Open is at one of his favourite venues.

Woods has already won at Torrey Pines this season when he cruised to an eight shot victory in the Buick Invitational and he has won six times there in the past - including each of his last four.

Before suffering the injury to his troublesome left knee Woods was - to all intents and purposes - untouchable. At the Buick nobody could get near him from the start of Thursday to the final putt on Sunday. Tiger was at his dominating and imperious best that week but he enters the US Open a wounded animal in more ways than one.

Not only is his knee still potentially a little short of full fitness but the elusive Grand Slam slipped away in his last outing. However, you know what they say about facing wounded animals!

Would you back Tiger this week? Or is your money going elsewhere?