Early Momentum Fades for Tiger Woods at 2024 U.S. Open
Early Surge
At the beginning of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, Tiger Woods briefly touched the lead, exciting fans and giving a glimpse of his former glory. Starting from the 10th hole, Woods made a birdie on the par-5, immediately jumping to red figures, sustaining this momentum for much of his opening nine holes. The 15-time major champion relied heavily on his flat stick, converting an 11-foot birdie on the 10th, and making crucial par saves from similar distances on Nos. 12 and 13.
Missed Opportunities
Woods had a missed opportunity on the short par-4 14th, where his 11-foot birdie bid failed to threaten the hole. This was his last significant scoring chance for a while. His first missed fairway on the 16th hole led to his first dropped shot, and a miscalculated second putt on No. 17 compounded his troubles. After making the turn in an even-par 36, Woods still remained within earshot of the lead.
Struggles on the Front Nine
The second half of the round turned out to be less forgiving. Woods's putter, which had previously been an ally, began to betray him on his front nine. A 3-putt bogey on No. 1, followed by short par misses on Nos. 2 and 4, saw him card five bogeys over a seven-hole stretch. Once as high as 4 over for the championship, Woods drifted down the leaderboard, sitting in a tie for 87th, a stroke off the projected cutline.
Flashes of Brilliance
Despite these struggles, flashes of brilliance remained. A well-placed shot from the middle of the fairway with a towering 4 iron on the par-5 5th rewarded him with a crucial birdie. This moment was followed by ticklish par saves from 8 feet on the intimidating par-3 6th and an impressive 17-footer on No. 7. However, the pressure on the putter cost Woods another shot on the par-4 8th, contributing to his overall inconsistent performance.
Inconsistencies and Tactical Approach
Woods’s overall play was hindered by inconsistencies throughout his round. Although he hit 12 of 14 fairways, his iron play let him down, as he managed to hit only 10 greens in regulation. This imbalance meant Woods gave himself just one birdie chance across the par-4s and bogeyed six of his last 12 holes. To reclaim his position and make it into the weekend, Woods will need to see significant improvement in his approach shots.
A Path Forward
Woods demonstrated a tactical approach around the demanding Pinehurst No. 2, often playing conservatively and aiming for the fat sides of greens. However, these tactics require better precision and execution going forward. If he is to claw his way back into this tournament and earn himself a weekend tee time, his irons must start cooperating.
Quotable Moments
The round was peppered with critical moments that both underscored Woods's challenges and highlighted his prowess. As one quote captured: "Woods's birdie bid from 11 feet failed to threaten the hole," a sentiment reflecting missed opportunities. Another key moment came on the 17th where, "When his second putt on the par-3 17th fell by the wayside, Woods put his second square on the scorecard." However, his skills shone as well, such as: "A birdie on the par-5 5th came courtesy of a towering 4 iron from the middle of the fairway." Yet, the struggles remained evident: "The pressure on the putter cost Woods one last shot on the par-4 8th."
While Tiger Woods may have had a rocky start at the 2024 U.S. Open, his performance is far from over. The legendary golfer has shown time and again his ability to bounce back from adversity. With a focused approach and slight tweaks to his game, Woods remains within striking distance to make an impact as the tournament progresses into the weekend.