Tiger plays Merion in a tune-up for the U.S. Open

DUBLIN, Ohio - A windblown rain fell through much of the practice round that Tiger Woods played at Merion Golf Club in preparation for the U.S. Open, in temperatures that were a lot cooler than they likely will be in the middle of June.

But none of that seemed to bother Woods on Tuesday during his first time playing Merion.

"It was raining sideways and it was just an ugly day," Woods said Wednesday during a news conference for the Memorial Tournament, in which he is the defending champion. "We played it probably as long as it will ever be played.

"In June, obviously the weather won't be like that. It will be hotter. The ball will be flying. The clubs will be different. But the lines will be the same. It was nice to see and get an understanding of what I need to visualize and my prep, and get ready for that. I have a nice understanding of where my sight lines are going to be and where I need to land the ball."

Woods said Joe LaCava, his caddie, arrived Monday at Merion and surveyed the golf course with the assistance of Sean Palmer, the club's assistant golf professional.

"Joey scouted the golf course and got all the bracketing of where all the blind shots [are], where we need to keep it between," Woods said. "If you want to shade it to one side or the other, you want to get it down there farther, we've got to be on this side. . . . He did a great job with Sean. It really helped out."

Woods said he chose "quite a few" drivers off the tee Tuesday because of the conditions, but that could change during Open week.

"Certain holes are long holes, and you've got to get it down there," he said. "If we get . . . conditions where it dries out and you start running with the slopes getting the ball to go 300 yards - plus with 3-woods, that's ample far to get to the spots you need to get to.

"There are a few times you want to be aggressive. You want to get it down there and be able to take a run at the par 5 you can basically reach [No. 2]. There are a few holes that you can be aggressive and get it done. They give you some wider areas to drive it. [But] if you miss those spots, you will be paying the price."

The Memorial will be Woods' last event before the Open, which begins June 13. He has not played since his May 12 victory in the Players Championship, his fourth win of 2013.

Woods was making his first media appearance since Sergio Garcia escalated their feud by saying last week he would invite Woods to dinner and "serve fried chicken." Woods posted on Twitter that the comment was "wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate," and Garcia apologized.

Woods said Wednesday that Garcia had not spoken in person to him, but he added, "It's time to move on."