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 seized the lead, giving his fans a glimpse of the dominant Tiger they remembered. Woods started strong with a birdie on the par-5 10th hole. Converting an 11-foot birdie putt on the 10th, Woods backed it up with crucial par saves from similar distances on the 12th and 13th holes. Unfortunately, a missed opportunity on the short par-4 14th halted his momentum.
First Dropped Shot
Woods faced his first real setback on the 16th hole with his initial missed fairway of the round, leading to his first dropped shot. The troubles compounded with a miscalculated second putt on the par-3 17th. Despite these setbacks, Woods remained within earshot of the lead after making the turn in an even-par 36.
Struggles on the Front Nine
The front nine, however, proved to be far less forgiving for Woods. His putter, which had been relatively reliable, began to betray him. Woods carded five bogeys over a seven-hole stretch, drifting down the leaderboard to a tie for 87th. He found himself just a stroke off the projected cutline.
Brief Resurgence
Woods made a crucial birdie on the par-5 5th, thanks to a towering 4-iron from the middle of the fairway. This was followed by a tricky par save from 8 feet on the intimidating par-3 6th. An impressive 17-footer on the 7th kept his hopes momentarily alive. Yet, the pressure on the putter cost Woods another shot on the par-4 8th, continuing the theme of inconsistency that plagued his round.
Inconsistencies in Performance
Throughout his round, Woods's play was marred by inconsistencies. Despite hitting 12 of 14 fairways, he managed to hit only 10 greens in regulation. He gave himself just one birdie chance across the par-4s and bogeyed six of his last 12 holes.
Tactical Approach
Woods demonstrated a tactical approach around Pinehurst No. 2. Often playing conservatively, he aimed for the fat sides of greens. While this strategy can be effective with precise execution, it proved challenging for Woods on this particular day. His irons, which need to start cooperating, will be crucial if he is to claw his way back into the tournament.
Looking Ahead
Despite a rocky start at the 2024 U.S. Open, Woods's performance is far from over. History has shown his ability to bounce back from adversity time and again. With a focused approach and slight tweaks to his game, Woods remains within striking distance. His birdie bid from 11 feet may have failed to threaten the hole, and missed opportunities may have marked his card, but there's room for improvement.
As Woods heads into the next rounds, the potential for a comeback looms large. Fans and critics alike know that counting out Tiger Woods would be a mistake. With precision and execution in his approach shots, Woods could transform this challenging start into another chapter of his storied career.