No bones about it: Tiger, Phil won't speak much at Open

• By Jay Coffin
• Jun 12, 2012 2:37 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO – Tiger Woods made no bones about it. He and Phil Mickelson will not speak much during their first two rounds together here at the U.S. Open.

It’s not that their relationship is contentious; it’s just that they don’t speak much to each other in general, especially not in a major championship, particularly a U.S. Open.

“I don’t think we’re going to talk about a lot,” Woods said Tuesday at The Olympic Club. “This is a major championship, we’ve got work to do.

“This is one of those championships that I think the guys talk the least to one another because it’s so difficult.”

Video: Tiger Woods news conference

Video: Phil Mickelson news conference

Woods and Mickelson are grouped with Bubba Watson the first two days at Olympic. Woods and Mickelson were grouped with Adam Scott four years ago at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, the last time Woods won a major championship. Mickelson finished T-18 that week.

Although many would list Woods and Mickelson as golf's greatest rivalry of this generation, Woods was quick to point out that he has had on-course battles with more than just Mickelson.

“We've had a lot of battles throughout the years, I can tell you that,” Woods said. “But ironically I think I've gone head‑to‑head more with two other guys. I know I have. I've gone head‑to‑head more with Ernie and Vijay second, and I think Phil would be third.”