Woods has missed competing at U.S. Open

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — A year ago, while watching the U.S. Open golf tournament on television as he recovered from another back surgery, Tiger Woods had no idea if he’d ever compete again in “our national championship.” On Tuesday, he spoke about playing Shinnecock Hills as a chance to add to his three U.S. Open titles, but also as filling a hole in his existence after skipping the past two. “I missed playing the U.S. Open,” Woods said. “It’s our national title and it has meant so much to me in my career. The biggest event you can win when I was growing up, it was a USGA event. To have won nine times is pretty special.” Woods was including his three U.S. Amateur victories and three in the U.S. Junior Amateur in the 1990s.