NOTEBOOK From the U.S. Open

Off the tee: Tiger Woods doesn't expect to use his driver much this week at Olympia Fields because of the many doglegs and hazards that put a premium on position. Ordinarily, that might take away his advantage. That doesn't appear to be the case in this era of technology, which Woods believes is getting out of hand. While most of the attention has been on golf balls, Woods believes the governing bodies should take a closer look at whether the trampoline effect in thin-faced drivers -- known as the "coefficient of restitution" -- is exceeding the limits. "I think that's our biggest concern out here on tour, to make sure the CORs are correct," Woods said after the Memorial two weeks ago. On Tuesday, while practicing for the U.S. Open, he offered some anecdotal evidence. "I used to be able to hit my 3-wood past a lot of guys' drivers," Woods said. "All of a sudden, guys are blowing it by me with drivers." Woods said it isn't his Nike clubs. He said the company has made him "fast faces" to try out, but he is more concerned with being able to shape the ball in different directions. The PGA Tour is not interested in setting equipment guidelines, preferring to follow the U.S. Golf Association. Still, the tour had planned to introduce a portable test to measure COR next month at the Western Open, but that was postponed indefinitely.
Lifestyle change: Kenny Perry's popularity is soaring. The hottest player on tour after consecutive wins at the Colonial and the Memorial, Perry took a week off but didn't get much of a break. Congratulatory phone calls and endless interviews left little time for rest. "I told my caddie I had to come back to work to get a good night's sleep," Perry said. Perry, who has six career wins, came closest at a major when he lost to Mark Brooks in a playoff at the 1996 PGA Championship. But after pocketing $1.8 million in two weeks with his consecutive wins, he's a man people want to watch.
Mickelson's mishap: Dot Winkler picked a seat high in the stands at No. 18, figuring she was safe from any errant practice shots. She was wrong. The 78-year-old fan and avid golfer was nearly plunked by a wayward shot from Phil Mickelson, whose approach at the closing hole landed 10 rows deep in the grandstand -- right next to Winkler.