Tiger avoids gridlock as Lahinch hope for green light

TIGER WOODS fears players could miss their US Open tee-times amid traffic gridlock at Shinnecock Hills.

But the former world No 1 could give the green light to an appearance in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch next year with agent Mark Steinberg confirming the 14-time Major winner is keen to return to Ireland.

Ruling out an appearance by Woods at Ballyliffin next month, Steinberg said: “It’s not going to happen this year but I am sure we will take a look at it next year.

“Two weeks before The Open for Tiger isn’t ideal because of the kids. But he just loves Ireland and he loves those golf courses, so it’s definitely not ruled out.”

Whether Woods can organise a family holiday in the south-west of Ireland next year remains to be seen. But he appears happy to be sitting pretty on his $20m yacht Privacy, docked 30 minutes north of Shinnecock Hills, as dozens of players face traffic chaos trying to get to the Long Island venue from official hotels.

Those who haven’t rented private houses near the course are taking up to three hours to get to the venue but Woods has no such worries.

“Staying on the dinghy helps,” Woods joked yesterday as he prepares to tee it up in a US Open for the first time since 2015.

“There are a few guys so far this week have said it’s taken them from the hotel two-and-a-half to three hours, and, you know, there’s a good chance that someone might miss their time.”