US golfer Tiger Woods returns to a happy hunting ground this week at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club outside Chicago, where he will be chasing his fourth Western Open title in eight years.

　　Twelve months ago, the world number one arrived at the course stung by media talk of a 'Tiger slump'. He responded in champion fashion, closing with a 69 to win by five shots and tie the tournament record of 21-under-par 267.

　　He tied the course record with an opening 63 to set up a wire-to-wire victory, and the 38th PGA Tour title of his career.

　　This year, he arrives at the Western under similar media scrutiny.

　　Although he has finished fourth or better in three of his last four PGA Tour starts, he has not won a strokeplay title since the WGC-American Express Championship last October.