The meteorological phenomenon that is known as a “haar” in Scotland and a “sea fret” in England is known as “June gloom” in San Diego. It comes when high pressure forces the cloud down and it meets cool coastal waters - there was plenty of it in La Jolla, north of San Diego, yesterday when practising began in earnest for the US Open, which starts on Thursday.

There has been a certain amount of non-meteorological gloom surrounding Tiger Woods, the world No 1, and his form. Woods is recovering after surgery to his left knee two days after the conclusion of the Masters in April and has not played competitively since.

There were rumours that he may not be ready to play in the second major championship of the year, but he had his first round on Wednesday, riding in a cart alongside Hank Haney, his coach, as they toured the South course at Torrey Pines, and he was out again yesterday indulging in his usual routine of playing very early in the morning. He had nothing to say, though. “Be seen but not heard” might be Woods's motto until his official press conference today.

Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open champion, Lee Janzen, the winner in 1993 and 1998 and Rory Sabbatini, Ian Poulter, Steve Stricker and Rocco Mediate practised on Sunday.

So did Adam Scott, who broke the little finger on his right hand three weeks ago when he trapped it in a car door and who, it had been thought, might withdraw. Ogilvy, Scott and Craig Parry played together on Sunday and Parry reported that Scott did not appear to be in discomfort.

This year the United States Golf Association has decided to play the world's top 12 players in four groups of three according to their world rankings, so Scott is the third member of just about the most stellar threesome in the first round of a major championship, alongside Woods and Phil Mickelson.

As usual, though, it was Woods's shadow that hung over this championship, as it does at all the majors when he plays. “There isn't a flaw in his game or his make-up,” Jack Nicklaus, who has won 18 professional majors, five more than Woods, said. “He will win more majors than me and Arnold Palmer combined.”

Padraig Harrington and Sergio García flew from Memphis to San Diego late on Sunday evening, encouraged by their form at the Stanford St Jude Championship. A last round of 68, two under par, by Harrington and a 66 by García enabled them to share fourth place, one stroke out of a play-off, won by Justin Leonard.