'Staying on the dinghy' helps Tiger avoid New York traffic at U.S. Open

Shinnecock Hills will certainly present a difficult task for golfers this week at the U.S. Open, but one of the biggest challenges for the field might come before they even hit a golf ball.

While the Long Island setting presents gorgeous terrain, it also brings into play a difficult commute through some heavy traffic.

Tiger Woods opted to avoid the congestion by staying on his $20-million, 155-foot yacht in the Hamptons, and the three-time U.S. Open champion had some fun with the media Wednesday when asked about his impressive boat.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

"Staying on the dinghy helps," Woods said with a smile. "There's a good chance that someone might miss their (tee) time. You get a little traffic, maybe a fender-bender, I mean, it's not inconceivable that someone could miss their time."

Most of the players are staying close to the venue, but Woods said during his availability that some told him it was taking more than two hours to make the commute from their hotel.

Thankfully, that's not going to be an issue for Woods as he attempts to win the U.S. Open on the 10th anniversary of his last major victory. That period without one of golf's biggest prizes isn't lost on him as he tees it up this week.

"I've been there on a number of occasions to win a major championship since the '08 U.S. Open, and I haven't done it," he said. "I don't like that feeling. I certainly had a nice run where I won a few, but unfortunately, over the last 10 years, I haven't. But, for the first few years of my career, I did well."

Woods gets his tournament started Thursday at 1:47 p.m. ET alongside Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson.