TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tiger Woods said Monday he would use experience rather than familiarity as he prepares for his title defense at the 2001 U.S. Open at Southern Hills country club in Tulsa.

Woods, speaking via satellite during the annual USGA media day, said he was forced to cancel a private practice session at Southern Hills last week with Mark O'Meara when O'Meara's mother passed away.

"I don't know if I'll get back here before the open," he said. "If it happens, it happens, but I feel like I know the course well enough and know what I need to do when I get out there."

Woods last played the Perry Maxwell-designed course in competition when he finished Tied for 21st in the 1996 tour championship as a rookie. But he has a good idea of what to expect when he returns.

"I know with the doglegs and slopes out there you can't hit driver a lot of the time, you have to hit a lot of three-woods and 2-irons at the corner of the doglegs to be successful," Woods said.

Of course, considering he hit his 2-iron 290 yards during his 15-stroke conquest of pebble beach at last year's U.S. Open, that may not be much of a disadvantage when the world number one goes for his unprecedented fifth straight major championship.

He refused to predict a final score for this year's open or final margin, but said he was ready and eager for whatever Southern Hills and the United States Golf Association has for him and the other 155 players in the field.

"You're always thinking about the next big tournament, especially when it's a major," Woods said. "I've been working very hard and some of that work paid off last week (at the Byron Nelson Classic)."

SUBHEAD: Just Short

Coming off a four-week layoff since his masters victory -- his fourth major title in a row -- Woods opened at the Byron Nelson with a four-under 66.

After rounds of 68 and 69, he found himself six shots out of the lead headed into the final day, but turned in another thrilling Sunday charge, shooting a seven-under 63 with just 21 putts to momentarily tie for the final day lead. He came up just short of a playoff and finish Tied for Third.

"I feel like I got about as much out of that week as I could. I've been practicing at home, but needed the heat of competition to get my game ready to go," explained Woods.

Woods is taking a reported $2 million guarantee to play in Germany this week before returning home for a week of rest. He will then play the memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio and continue his tradition of taking off the week before a major championship.

The defending champion will certainly come into this year's open as the overwhelming favorite as he continues to establish himself as the most dominant golfer of this, or possibly, any era.

"Maybe one day, I'll set back and think about all of that, but right now that's for you guys," he said of media speculation of his eventual place in golf history.

"I don't think about it now. I just think about competition and winning and the next event."