Experience the key for Woods

/ Editor / 17 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Tiger Woods feels his vast experience of playing in pressure situations will be invaluable as he battles it out for the US Open title.

The 31-year-old American and world number one is two shots off the lead ahead of Sunday's final 18 holes at Oakmont. And, despite never winning a Major when he has not been leading after 54 holes, Woods is confident that he has the know-how to overturn Australian Aaron Baddeley's advantage and see off his other rivals to claim a 13th Major crown.

Woods, who is the only one of the leading six players to have won a Major, said: "They're going to deal with emotions that they've probably never dealt with before.

"It helps to have experience. I've been there before and I know what it takes," added the 2.28 favourite on Betfair's "US Open - Winner" market.

However, 26-year-old Australian Baddeley insists he will just focus on his own game and hopes he can emulate compatriot Geoff Ogilvy's US Open success 12 months ago.

He said: "I'm human, I'm going to hit bad shots. You're going to miss a fairway and a green, so I'm not worried.

"Tiger or Jim Furyk or Justin Rose, I can't control what they do, and they can't control what I do.

"I've worked my whole life to be in this position, so I'm going to embrace it. I'm going to enjoy it."

Woods has not won a Major in 2007 and the US Open may represent his best chance of achieving that feat. His wife is due to give birth to their first child and the US star has admitted his schedule for the rest of the year is up in the air.

With increased speculation that he could miss the Open Championship starting on July 19, "One Major Only" is the 2.32 favourite on Betfair's emerging "Tiger Specials - Major Wins" market, with "None" available to back at 2.42.