Last Updated: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:06
Tiger Woods says he is in confident mood going into this week's US Open on the notoriously tough Bethpage Black course.
The world's best players will tee it up in New York on Thursday fully aware that Woods seems to be finding his form, following a thrilling final-round display that saw him win the Memorial tournament a fortnight ago.
Woods will defend the title he won in pain last year at Torrey Pines as the world number one goes in search of a fourth US Open success - he won this event the last time Bethpage Black hosted the tournament in 2002.
Woods, who is paired with Open champion Padraig Harrington and Masters champion Angel Cabrera for the first two rounds, insists his recent PGA Tour success has added to his belief.
The 33-year-old said: "It's always nice to play well going into a major championship, no doubt.
"To get a win always adds to the confidence, and no matter how you win, if you can win this way, ball-striking, hitting it that well, especially going into a US Open, it always makes you feel pretty good."