Chris Carlson / AP Tiger Woods tees off during his practice round for the U.S. Open on Tuesday. This will be Woods' first tournament since the Masters.

SAN DIEGO — While there are many who doubt Tiger Woods can come back from knee surgery to win this week's 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course, don't count Phil Mickelson or Trevor Immelman among them.

Mickelson, who played last year's U.S. Open while battling a wrist injury, said Woods has proven during his career he's capable of coming back from long layoffs — not just playing well, but winning.

"He takes a bunch of time off before his tournament in Los Angeles (the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club) and he comes out and wins," Mickelson said.

"I just don't see how (the knee surgery) is going to have a negative effect on him. I think players in any sport, golf as well, have to deal with injuries. I just can't see a better player make adjustments easier than Tiger. I just don't think it will be a problem."

When Immelman was asked whether other players were talking about Woods' injury, the 2008 Masters champion responded, "He'll be fine."

Earlier in the day, Woods pronounced himself ready to go. While admitting he has yet to walk 18 holes, Woods expressed no doubt about trying to win his 14th major title.

"I plan on playing competitive," Woods said. "Come game time on Thursday, I'll be ready to go."

But as little as three weeks ago, Woods said there was still some doubt about being ready for the Open. He was disappointed about having to withdraw from the Memorial and wasn't seeing the kind of progress in his recovery.

"The week prior to the Memorial, I was not feeling good enough where I was 100 percent sure I could play all four days," Woods said. "But then my leg started getting a lot better quickly.

"My lifting went way up and my endurance came back. All the different things started coming up."

Woods has played three nine-hole practice rounds so far this week, trying to knock off the rust and get back into the competitive flow that comes with competing in a major championship.

While he feels extremely comfortable and confident on this golf course, thanks to winning the Buick Invitational here six times, Woods believes there are plenty of differences between the course they play for the Buick and the one they will compete on this week, especially when it comes to the greens.

"The lines are much higher here," Woods said. "I'm used to seeing lines a little straighter, a little lower and with a lot less pace.

"Some of the putts have a lot more swing at the end. They're rolling out a little bit more, up and over ridges. Like the putt I made this year on 11 (on the final day of the tournament), you couldn't make that putt right now; it's just too fast. A good putt would be almost to the front of the green. You can't get away with loose shots like you did during the Buick."

Woods will spend the first two days of the tournament playing with Mickelson and Adam Scott, who are the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked players in the world behind him.

Both players said they like the idea of playing in the same group.

"It's awesome. I wish we had it more," Mickelson said. " I think it's great that a major championship has us paired together because usually one end of the tee times has an advantage over the other.

"For us to be on the same end, I think makes it a fair championship. I like the fact we're at least on the same wave — early/late, late/early. And to be paired together is even better."

The two men were paired in the same group during the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club. Both played well, Woods shooting rounds of 68-69 while Mickelson posted scored of 69-71.

Mickelson said he enjoys getting to play with Woods, and other great players as well, because he likes to play with the best.

Being paired with Woods makes this an even bigger week for Mickelson, who is bubbling over with excitement as he prepares to play the U.S. Open on a course that he grew up playing as a kid.

The San Diego native said when he was growing up he and his friends used to dream about having a major championship played in their hometown. That dream is now a reality.

"I can't believe this is the U.S. Open Championship here at Torrey Pines," Mickelson said. "I am so excited about the way the golf course is being presented. I just think it's a fabulous place. I'm excited to be a participant and hopefully play well."

Woods, Mickelson and Scott will get an early start on Thursday, teeing off at 8:06 a.m.

Immelman was asked if it is an advantage for the rest of the field that probably 75 percent of the spectators would be following Mickelson and Woods.

"I think 100 percent of the fans will be following them," Immelman joked. "I would definitely follow them. I would pay to watch Tiger play golf. He's something we may never see again."