OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. - Tiger Woods is skipping the Colonial and likely will go to the U.S. Open having played two tournaments since the Masters.
Woods always has played at least three times between the Masters and U.S. Open. But he said Monday he's trying to stick to a lighter schedule after having knee surgery in December.
"I'm taking more time off and just making sure everything is all right for the future," Woods said. "I don't want to create any further damage."
Woods missed five tournaments after surgery to remove fluid and benign cysts. He hasn't played since tying for 15th at the Masters, a four-week break.
He'll be at this weekend's Deutsche Bank-SAP Open where he is the defending champion, then return for the Memorial.
PURSE INCREASED: The purse for this year's U.S. Open will be $6-million, a $500,000 increase.
The winner will get $1.08-million, $80,000 more than Woods got for winning last year's event at Bethpage Black in New York.
The USGA also announced $100,000 increases for both the U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open purses. The U.S. Women's Open will have $3.1-million in prize money this year, with the winner earning $560,000.
U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING: Royce Warren of Holiday medaled with a 67 at Hunter's Green Country Club in Tampa. Also advancing were Chase Baldwin of Plant City (68), Ty Harris of Tampa (68), Peter Dachisen of Wesley Chapel (69), Marc Devany of Sebring (69) and Doug Ferris of Brooksville (69).
The sectional qualifier is June 3 at Lake Nona Golf Club in Orlando.
14-YEAR-OLD ADVANCES: Morgan Pressel, who became the youngest qualifier for the U.S. Women's Open in 2001, reached sectionals by shooting 2-over 74 in Naples.
