No limp as Tiger Woods takes the driving range for the Phil showdown at Torrey Pines

LA JOLLA, Calif. (June 12, 2008) - Tiger Woods just walked right behind me to the putting green (the world’s No. 1 keeps following me I swear, some privacy please) and there wasn’t even the slightest hint of a gimp in his stride. This after a few days at Torrey Pines where it seemed like Tiger did have something of a noticeable hitch with that surgically repaired left knee during his practice rounds.

But today, with Tiger-Phil about an hour away, Woods walks fine.

Could it be that Tiger was just playing with everyone all along? Is this the ultimate mind game from the sports greatest’ practitioner of mind games? Or will there be something obvious with his knee when he gets out on the course?

I’ve already argued that this overwhelming, eager media obsession with declaring this Tiger’s greatest hour (If he wins the U.S. Open on One Battered Knee he will have topped them all!) is a whole lot of bunk. Everyone’s just so desperate to see history, that they’re trying to manufacture it even before the first shot of the week.

For the full column on why Tiger’s balky knee is not the stuff of legends, click here.

For more on Tiger-Phil as the round shapes up, stay tuned to this blog.