• US Open

Woods & Garcia shake hands at Merion

Tiger Woods shook hands with Sergio Garcia on the practice range at Merion on Monday, as the duo agreed to meet in order to try to resolve their differences.

Garcia sparked a race row last month, after joking about how he would invite Woods around for dinner at the US Open and serve him "fried chicken".

Woods branded the comments "hurtful" and "clearly inappropriate".

Garcia immediately apologised for his remark, which he insisted was not intended as racist, and announced his intention to meet Woods this week in order to apologise in person. That started on Monday, with Garcia approaching Woods on the practice range - and the world No. 1 took the proffered hand.

The two men also agreed to meet later in the evening in order to discuss matters at greater length, according to reports.

Tiger and Sergio shake hands on driving range today #usopen twitter.com/bigup2dahorns/…

— bigup2dahorns (@bigup2dahorns) June 10, 2013

When asked about the meeting, Woods told reporters "I'm not going there" - although he indicated both players would discuss the subject at their separate, planned press conferences on Tuesday.

Garcia found himself in hot water with the comments, which were the culmination of an escalating feud with Woods - after the Spaniard took offence to the American's conduct while they played together in the third round of last month's Players Championship.

There are fears Garcia will receive a less-than-welcoming reception from American spectators this week, with Philadelphia sports fans renowned for their outspoken ways.

"I fear there will be a backlash," Justin Rose said. "We're in Philadelphia, where the fans have a reputation for being as noisy as those in New York. It's not going to be pretty."

Garcia played a number of holes in practice in Monday, accompanied by a police officer.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.