Early Momentum Fades for Tiger Woods at 2024 U.S. Open
At the start of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, Tiger Woods showed a glimpse of his legendary form, briefly touching the lead. Woods began his round with a birdie on the par-5 10th hole, which he achieved by sinking an 11-foot putt. He followed it up with crucial par saves from similar distances on holes 12 and 13. However, an opportunity missed on the short par-4 14th set the stage for the challenges that were to come.
Woods's first missed fairway on the 16th hole led to his first dropped shot of the day, and a miscalculated second putt on the 17th compounded his troubles. Despite these setbacks, Woods remained within earshot of the lead, turning in an even-par 36 on his back nine. The front nine, however, proved to be less forgiving.
Struggles on the Front Nine
As Woods made his way through the front nine, his putting began to betray him. Over a seven-hole stretch, Woods carded five bogeys, causing him to drift down the leaderboard and into a tie for 87th. He found himself just a stroke off the projected cut line, adding pressure to his second round.
Despite the struggles, Woods showed flashes of brilliance. He made a crucial birdie on the par-5 5th hole, executing a towering 4-iron shot from the middle of the fairway. Ticklish par saves from 8 feet on the intimidating par-3 6th and an impressive 17-footer on the 7th hole kept his hopes alive. Nevertheless, his putter cost him another shot on the par-4 8th, highlighting the inconsistencies that plagued his round.
Inconsistencies and Tactical Approach
Throughout the round, Woods's overall play fluctuated between moments of precision and lapses in execution. He hit 12 of 14 fairways, a commendable statistic, but managed to hit only 10 greens in regulation. This discrepancy left him with limited birdie opportunities, particularly on the par-4s, where he only had one genuine chance.
Woods bogeyed six of his last 12 holes, underscoring the need for significant improvement in his approach shots. Despite these challenges, he demonstrated a tactical approach around Pinehurst No. 2, often playing conservatively and aiming for the fat sides of greens. This strategy requires better precision and execution to be effective, emphasizing the importance of improved iron play moving forward.
Path to Recovery
Though his start at the 2024 U.S. Open was rocky, Woods's performance is far from over. He has repeatedly shown his ability to bounce back from adversity with a focused approach and minor tweaks to his game. Woods remains within striking distance, and with his vast experience, the possibility of clawing his way back into the tournament is not out of reach.
The pressure on the putter cost Woods one last shot on the par-4 8th, which further magnified the need for consistency in his putting. If Woods can align his putting with his overall tactical approach and improve his precision with the irons, he stands a solid chance of climbing back up the leaderboard.
Quotes from the Course
Reflecting on the ups and downs of his round, Woods expressed his feelings succinctly. "Woods's birdie bid from 11 feet failed to threaten the hole," he remarked after his effort on the 10th hole. His frustrations were evident after his second putt on the par-3 17th fell by the wayside, prompting him to say, "When my second putt on the par-3 17th missed, it put my scorecard squarely in trouble."
Yet, there were moments of optimism. After making a birdie on the par-5 5th, courtesy of a towering 4-iron shot, Woods felt a sense of accomplishment. "The birdie on the par-5 5th came thanks to a solid 4-iron from the middle of the fairway," he noted.
In summary, Woods's round at the 2024 U.S. Open was a mix of highs and lows, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport. His ability to adapt and refine his approach will be critical in the coming days as he aims to overcome his early setbacks and make a significant impact on the tournament.
As he has done many times before, Tiger Woods will need to summon his resilience and skill if he hopes to contend at Pinehurst No. 2. The next rounds are crucial, and the golfing world will be keenly watching to see if he can once again rise to the occasion.