I was too rusty for U.S. Open, says Woods

LEMONT, Ill., July 5 (Reuters) Tiger Woods says in retrospect he was not ready to compete in last month's US Open where he missed the cut in a major for the first time as a pro after a nine-week layoff following his father's death.

''I was rusty,'' Woods told reporters today after holing a chip shot at the 18th hole to finish his Pro-Am round at Cog Hill before tomorrow's start of the Western Open.

''It was very disappointing. I had good practice sessions and I thought I was prepared.'' Woods, whose streak of making the cut in majors ended at 39 leaving him tied for that record with Jack Nicklaus, repaired to his yacht which was docked nearby the Winged Foot course in Mamaroneck, New York.

Before treating himself to some spearfishing, Woods said, he watched the last 36 holes of the championship on TV.

''I watched both days. That was my punishment,'' said Woods, adding that he was ''a little hot'' after failing to qualify for the weekend at Winged Foot.

Woods said he thought Colin Montgomerie, who finished tied for second one shot behind winner Geoff Ogilvy of Australia, would be the champion. That is before both he and Phil Mickelson double-bogeyed the last hole.

Woods said after his fishing trip he went back to work on his game. ''This year has been a difficult and different year.

That's just the way it is,'' he said about dealing with his father's death.

Woods, unlike Mickelson who has already prepared for this month's British Open at Hoylake, said he knows nothing about the layout and will not see it until the weekend before the event.

''I haven't been there, haven't seen any photos of it. All I know is that it's in Liverpool,'' he said.

Reuters DH VP0200