LEMONT, Ill. — All Tiger Woods can do now is shrug it off.

After missing the cut at the U.S. Open, Woods hopes to put aside that dismal performance when the Western Open starts today.

"You know, it's something I don't normally do, missing the weekend at a major championship," he said Wednesday. "Missing a weekend means that you have no opportunity to win the tournament."

Woods wasn't the only disappointed golfer at the U.S. Open. A meltdown on the final hole at Winged Foot cost Phil Mickelson the championship.

Woods and Mickelson head a star-packed field that includes Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk.

A three-time Western Open winner, Woods hopes to rediscover his stroke at Cog Hill after shooting 12-over and failing to make the cut in a major for the first time in 10 years as a professional.

Woods took nine weeks off between the Masters and U.S. Open to tend to his father, Earl, who died of cancer on May 3. He went a month without picking up a golf club because it was just too painful — it reminded him of his father and of his loss.

He needed a break.

"I'm sure it gets easier, but it's something you'll never forget," Woods said. "I don't think it's ever something you really want to forget or ever really want to truly put behind you because having a parent that is so loving in your life and that you love so much, you never, ever, forget that."

Mickelson would probably like to forget his performance at the U.S. Open. He led by one heading into the final hole before a double-bogey dropped him into a tie for second with Colin Montgomerie and Jim Furyk, one shot behind Geoff Ogilvy.

Mickelson made some questionable decisions and brought back memories of the Lefty who was 0-for-42 in majors as a professional before breaking through at the 2004 Masters.

He used a driver instead of a 4-wood on the 18th tee, and the ball landed off to the left, near the hospitality tents. Then, he went for the green, rather than a safe shot, and hit a branch. And his next shot landed in a bunker.

"I think the biggest thing about that is I don't want the one hole to affect my play in the next couple majors," Mickelson said.

Furyk was disappointed, too. His putting game deserted him after the first 12 holes on the final day of the U.S. Open.

"I'm proud of the way I played," said Furyk, the defending Western Open champion. "I didn't close the door like I could have."

Woods thought he was ready for the U.S. Open. He had put in the time in practice, but everything was off.

Furyk said Woods had "a very aggressive look" on that Friday, the look of a man trying to get back in contention and not merely survive the cut.

"He's looking to win all the time, whether he's laid off for nine or 10 weeks or not," Furyk said.

The British Open is later this month. But first comes the Western.

"I've had some good success here," Woods said. "Even the times I've played poorly coming in, this golf course has allowed me to turn it around. So hopefully, this will be one of those years where I can really play well and win the championship and then head off to the British for some good, positive vibes."