Tiger takes side trip to Bethpage for early tuneup

FARMINGDALE, New York – Tiger Woods returned to the Black Course at Bethpage on Monday, tuning up in preparation for his US Open title defense.

Woods made a detour on his way home from winning the Memorial in Ohio a day earlier, playing 18 holes with swing coach Hank Haney.

Newsday reported that several dozen golfers who planned to play at Bethpage State Park’s four other courses spied the world’s No. 1 player and immediately pulled out cell-phone cameras.

Woods planned to return home to Florida later Monday and practice on his home course at Isleworth leading to the Open, which is June 18-21.

Woods won last year’s Open at Torrey Pines in a 19-hole playoff against Rocco Mediate. He won the US Open in 2002, the last time it was held at Bethpage Black, and was the only player to finish under par.

The Black Course has been lengthened to 7,426 yards since. It features graduated rough that should allow players to reach the green instead of hacking out to the fairway. (AP)