Forgive Russ Miller for dreaming, but he can easily picture the scene.

The Broadmoor’s director of golf sees the crowds gathering on that first hole. He hears the starter’s voice echoing through the picturesque pines of the East Course.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 1:01 tee time. Please welcome, from Jupiter Island, Florida, nine-time USGA champion Tiger Woods.”

When the U.S. Senior Open returns to Colorado Springs in 2031, might the sport’s biggest name be among the players competing for the major championship?

That’s not just wishful thinking, says one of Woods’ longtime friends and a former college teammate.

“I could definitely see him playing,” Notah Begay III said Thursday after finishing his first round of this week’s event. “I know that this is an event that he would love to win.”

Begay offers unique insight, to be sure. He played with Woods at Stanford University and the two have remained good friends on and off the course.

Begay knows what drives Woods.

“He loves records,” Begay said with a smile.

And while age and injuries likely will keep Woods, 49, from challenging Jack Nicklaus’ mark of 18 major championships, there are other records that remain within reach as long as he can swing a club.

One of those involves a U.S. Senior Open.

Woods has won nine USGA events: three U.S. Junior titles (1991-93), three U.S. Amateur titles (1994-96) and three U.S. Open titles (2000, 2002, 2008). That’s tied with Bobby Jones for most all-time and one ahead of Nicklaus and JoAnne Carner.

Not only would a Senior Open victory break the tie with Jones, it would make Woods the only player to have won USGA titles at the junior, amateur and senior levels along with a U.S. Open.

With that milestone a possibility, it’s understandable why Miller would maintain some level of optimism and anticipation, as The Broadmoor will play host to the Senior Open in 2031 and 2037. But he also realizes there’s one big contingency.

“It’s all about his health and condition to be able to play,” Miller said.

Woods turns 50, the minimum age requirement to play in PGA Tour Champions events, on Dec. 30. He hasn’t competed on the PGA Tour since last summer as he’s dealt with a rash of injuries. The latest — a torn Achilles tendon — came in March during a workout. He’s also undergone multiple back procedures as well as ankle surgery.

Beyond injuries, there’s also the fact Woods hasn’t played much in Colorado. He routinely skipped The International at Castle Pines during its annual run on the PGA calendar, coming to Castle Rock only twice and never winning (though he did record a hole-in-one).

Miller will still dream though.

“Could you imagine that first tee,” he said. “There’d be a swarm of bees everywhere he goes. It would be huge for the game.”