Shinnecock Hills, NY ….
Tiger Woods is avoiding any Long Island traffic snarls this week by jokingly referring to his home this week, and his £15m, 155-foot luxury yacht ‘Privacy’, as a dingy.
Woods is not for a first time using his 15-cabin ocean-going vessel and manned by a crew of nine as his floating residence for this week’s U.S. Open.
The boat is moored in nearby Sag Harbor and only a short distance from the host course at Shinnecock Hills on New York’s Long Island.
“Sag Harbor is a cute little town and I’ve only been there for a few days now, so I haven’t had the chance to walk about but I certainly will this week.
‘Privacy’ – Tiger Woods $20m and 155-foot long yacht he jokingly refers to as a ‘dingy’.
“So far it’s been nice to return there and get away from the tournament scene and go back to my dingy that’s moored there”.
But then when it was pointed out to Woods that is must seem strange not to have the biggest boat there he laughed: “I’m not opposed to that”.
On a more serious note in the two dayts already of official practice it is taking players, caddies, officials, the world’s media along with patrons upwards of two-hours already to travel to Shinnecock Hills and while Woods has a very shorter drive, the 14-time Major winner believes there could be the scenario of playing missing their tee times due to the Long Island traffic snarls.
“Staying on the dingy helps,” he joked.
“I fortunate when my dad and I were here in 1995 we stayed with one of the Shinnecock members and the traffic was not that bad and then in 2004 I stayed not too far away from here and about two miles away, and I was north of the golf course, as well and that made driving much easier.
“So, I know there has been a few guys this week who’ve complained it’s been taking them two to three-and-a-half hours, so there is a good chance someone might miss their (tee) time.
“If you get a little traffic or a little fender-bender then it is not unconceivable someone will miss their tee time.”
Woods is contesting a first U.S. Open since 2015 while he captured a last and 14th Major Championship by winning the 2008 U.S. Open in a play-off at Torrey Pines.
And this week is somewhat special for Woods as he made his U.S. Open debut in 1995 at this week’s Shinnecock Hills h even though he did withdrew with injury.
“I’ve really have missed playing the U.S. Open,” said Woods.
“It’s our nations title and it’s meant so much to me and to my career while the USGA has done so much for golf.
“For me, this was the biggest event you could win and growing-up winning a USGA event was special and to win a USGA event nine times (Three US Junior Amateurs, Three successive US Amateur titles and three US Open victories).
“So, I am looking forward to this week and I said, I have really missed playing U.S. Open’s and this will be another fun test.”
