Woods primed for Oakmont's green test

OAKMONT, Pennsylvania, June 14 (Reuters) Twice champion Tiger Woods, hunting a third major victory in four starts, will have to cope with the toughest greens he has ever seen at this week's US Open.

Although Woods usually dominates the storylines going into the big events, he has played second fiddle to Oakmont Country Club's daunting par-70 layout in the build-up to today's opening round.

Oakmont's 667-yard 12th hole will become the longest par five in Open history and the 288-yard eighth will take over as the longest par three.

The tight, hilly course has few flat lies but is renowned for its slick, undulating greens which have been described by the players as scary fast.

''They are by far the most difficult greens I've ever played,'' world number one Woods told reporters.

''Winged Foot's were pretty tough and Augusta's are pretty tough,'' he added, referring to last year's U.S. Open venue and to Augusta National, permanent home of the Masters.

''But both those golf courses have flat spots. Augusta may have these big, big slopes but they also have flat shelves where they usually put the pins on. Here, I'm trying to figure out where a flat shelf is.

''On this course, it depends on how the pins are set. If they go crazy, they can make it impossible. But if they put pins in generous spots, I think it will be just a fantastic test.'' The players did, however, receive a helping hand from Mother Nature on Wednesday when just under half-an-inch of rain fell, softening greens and fairways that had firmed up under scorching sunshine.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy, the defending champion, also pinpointed Oakmont's greens as a major obstacle.

OBVIOUS CHALLENGE ''The greens here are the obvious challenge to me,'' the 30-year-old said. ''Everything else out there is similar to other US Opens.

''It has narrowish fairways, pretty good rough and bunkers but the greens here are something different. They are amazing and they run a bit faster than maybe they should in spots.'' Asked to predict this week's winning total, Ireland's Padraig Harrington replied: ''I would take four 72s.

''I wouldn't be putting my house that eight over par is going to win this tournament, but I certainly think it's got a chance.'' As ever at a U.S. Open, the ability to grind out pars and stay patient when the going gets tough will be crucial.

Woods, a three-times PGA Tour winner this season, unquestionably fits the bill, as do twice winners Retief Goosen and Ernie Els of South Africa.

Another candidate is Phil Mickelson, who won last month's Players Championship in only his third tournament since switching allegiance to swing coach Butch Harmon.

However, the American left-hander pulled out of the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago after injuring his wrist and opted to skip the St. Jude Championship that finished on Sunday.

Other likely contenders for the year's second major include Australia's Adam Scott, Swede Henrik Stenson, Briton Luke Donald and American Jim Furyk, who triumphed in 2003 at Olympia Fields.

Reuters BJR DB0911