With Jack Nicklaus in his sights, Woods won't be indulging in any idle chit-chat at the Olympic Club, writes PHILIP REID

THE COOLISH Pacific breeze which came in off the bay here yesterday is nothing, you suspect, to match the big chill which will materialise on the first tee here tomorrow when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, both from this neck of the woods, prepare to go in quest of another Major. Woods is chasing a 15th, Mickelson a fifth.

The man in the middle of the icy chill will be US Masters champion Bubba Watson, seeking a second Major. Both of his career, and of the season.

In truth, no love has been lost between Woods and Mickelson down the years; but the reason for any lack of chit-chat here – as far as Woods is concerned – is that there is a job to do. And, unlike regular tour events where players are inclined to shoot the breeze for the first couple of rounds before idle talk disappears over the weekend, the US Open is an event that demands a player’s full concentration.

Just in case Mickelson was under any illusions about talking basketball or about anything else, Woods – at a press conference just like the old days where there was standing room only – said: “I don’t think we’re going to talk a lot. This is a Major championship. We’ve got work to do . . . I’m just trying to get out there and position myself for Sunday. This is a long grind.”

Did he remember the first time he played with Mickelson?

“I don’t really remember.”

As an amateur?

“He was done with amateur golf and college golf by the time I got there.”

As a pro?

“Nhuhuh,” replied Woods. “We’ve had a lot of battles throughout the years, I can tell you that. We’ve gone head-to-head . . . but, ironically, I think I’ve gone head-to-head more with Ernie and Vijay second. And I think Phil would be third.”

Ah, it would seem the Tiger of old is back for sure. The focus on him.

When he won the Bay Hill Invitational and arrived into Augusta for the Masters with a swagger, it proved to be a false dawn. He left with his tail between his legs. Now, though, his win in the Memorial – his last outing – came with a clinical display tee-to-green and a renewed sense that his ultimate quest to overtake Jack Nicklaus as the all-time Major record-holder is back on track.

Woods, who hasn’t added to his Major tally since claiming this title at Torrey Pines in 2008 in a play-off win over Rocco Mediate, can reflect on numerous reasons for that drought stretching to an unprecedented four years since the pursuit of Nicklaus started with his breakthrough Major win at the ’97 Masters.

Was Woods confident he had sufficient time remaining in his career to catch and overtake Nicklaus? “Well, Jack did it at 46, right? So I’ve got ten . . . it can be done. We can play for a very long time, and that’s the great thing about staying in shape and lifting weights and being fit is that playing careers have extended.”