Tiger Woods is set to play his first event since undergoing knee surgery following last month's Masters when he tees off at the United States Open in three weeks' time.

The world number one had hoped to be fit enough for next week's Memorial tournament in Ohio, but officials were notified yesterday that he will not be playing.

There is another tournament in Memphis the week before the second major of the season, but Woods has never competed there and will be expected to practise at home instead.

Two years ago he had nine weeks off between The Masters and US Open following the death of his father, and on his return missed the halfway cut for the only time in a major in his professional career.

This year's US Open is at Torrey Pines near San Diego, where in January he lifted the Buick Invitational for a sixth time - and fourth in a row - by eight strokes.

Even going back there after such a lengthy lay-off he is bound to be installed as favourite.