PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - The sense of determination was heavy. Tiger Woods allowed that, yes, golf is supposed to be fun. "It's a game,'' he reminded. But a game with a purpose. To be a winner.

He sat there Tuesday, fielding questions two days before this 110th U.S. Open as he does before every major, smiling occasionally, snapping once. Whatever has gone on the last several months, and it's been a great deal, we are about to become reacquainted with Tiger the Golfer.

The Masters was a warmup, a prelude in which he escaped cobwebs and recriminations. If he didn't win ... well, maybe he didn't expect not to be on top, but the rest of us expected it. You had to start someplace.

Now what are we to expect? Tiger's words imply success. A question about Pebble's famous par-5 18th hole, the one that curves between surf and supposition, was met not with a hoped-for response of flowery adjectives but cold facts.

"It's 543 yards,'' said Tiger. "We almost play par-4s that long. So I guess prior to 2020, it will probably be a par-4. But it's certainly one of the most exciting, most recognizable holes in golf.''

That from one of the most exciting, most recognizable names in sports. If not the most recognizable.

Woods is focused. Woods is confident. Ten years ago, before the scandal, before the marriage, before the Tiger Slam, he won another U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, shooting 12 under par and finishing 15 shots in front.

The belief never leaves. The memories never flee.

Listening to Woods, hearing him go about his business, one might surmise he even could win this Open late, if not in the same fashion as the one a decade ago. In recent weeks, he missed the cut at Quail Hollow, withdrew from The Players Championship because of a bad neck he said is much improved and tied for 19th at the Memorial.

Not much to go on. Or is it? He was 6 under on a tough course at the Memorial. "As far as my game, I'm very excited about how it's progressed,'' said Woods. "The more time I've been able to practice and play, it's started to solidify, and I'm just really excited to tee it up on Thursday.''

One of these weeks, Tiger will play as he did before the incident, before the embarrassment. And maybe one of these weeks we will begin to forgive the transgressions that became bigger news even than the major victories.

The curiosity factor, however, remains very much with him. And us.

"On the basis that all our professional lives are affected by our personal lives,'' a British journalist asked Woods, "can you tell us if you've got any resolution one way or the other with (estranged wife) Elin yet?"

Tiger glared. "That's none of your business,'' he said, signaling an end to that discussion.

What is our business? And what isn't? Is there any more we need to know about Woods and his women and his lifestyle? If he could say he's sorry, are we able to say we're weary?

Maybe not if you're TMZ. Or the National Enquirer. But scandal lasts only so long. Tiger is trying to get his life in order, which will lead to getting his golf in order.

Pebble Beach, some 120 miles south of San Francisco, is both special and unusual, spectacular landfall that tumbles into the sea - or Carmel Bay, as it were. Nearby are very wealthy citizens who pride themselves on their privacy and their choices.

Surely some of the Pebble Beach residents were as guilty or innocent as Tiger, if none of them is as remarkable a golfer. They hold Woods in high regard, for his game on the fairways, allowing them to excuse the games he might have played off them.

Tiger must feel comfortable around here, staying at the Lodge, which overlooks No. 18 and out past the water to Point Lobos. He's still a hero to these folks, having played years ago in the California Amateur and then AT&T at Pebble.

"It's great to be back,'' said Woods, who hadn't been around since the 2002 AT&T. "It's interesting to see how much the golf course has changed. Different strategies, different shots, and obviously it plays a lot firmer than it does in February.''

Woods indicates his game is a lot firmer than when he returned to competition two months ago at the Masters, where despite the inactivity he managed to tie for fourth.

"It's way, way different,'' said Woods. "I only had a few weeks to get ready then. Now I've been playing tournament golf basically since April.''

He's ready. So is the Open. That should keep us, and him, extremely interested.