Early Momentum Fades for Tiger Woods at the 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. He made a birdie on the par-5 10th hole, converting an 11-foot birdie putt. Woods then made crucial par saves from similar distances on Nos. 12 and 13, which kept his momentum alive early in the round. However, a missed opportunity on the short par-4 14th hole marked the start of his troubles.
Woods’s first missed fairway on the 16th hole led to his first dropped shot, and a miscalculated second putt on No. 17 compounded his issues. Yet, he remained within earshot of the lead after making the turn in an even-par 36.
Struggles on the Front Nine
Unfortunately for Woods, struggles on the front nine turned out to be less forgiving. His putter began to betray him, leading to a series of frustrating results. He carded five bogeys over a seven-hole stretch, which saw him drift down the leaderboard and sit in a tie for 87th place, just a stroke off the projected cutline.
There were bright spots, as Woods made a crucial birdie on the par-5 5th hole and ticklish par saves from 8 feet on the intimidating par-3 6th. An impressive 17-footer for birdie on No. 7 provided a glimmer of hope, but the pressure on his putter cost him yet another shot on the par-4 8th.
Inconsistencies and Tactical Play
Woods's overall play was hindered by inconsistencies throughout his round. While he demonstrated a tactical approach around Pinehurst No. 2, often playing conservatively and aiming for the fat sides of greens, his execution fell short. Despite hitting 12 of 14 fairways, Woods 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.
Woods will need to see significant improvement in his approach shots to remain competitive. His irons must start cooperating for him to claw his way back into the tournament.
Remaining Performance and Potential for Comeback
Although Woods had a rocky start at the 2024 U.S. Open, his performance is far from over. He 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.
Quotes from the day provide additional context to his round. "Woods's birdie bid from 11 feet failed to threaten the hole," one commentator noted, highlighting the putting challenges he faced. After his second putt on the par-3 17th fell by the wayside, another observation was made: "Woods put his second square on the scorecard."
Despite these setbacks, there were moments of brilliance. "A birdie on the par-5 5th came courtesy of a towering 4 iron from the middle of the fairway," another commentator remarked, showcasing Woods's bright moments amidst the challenges.
Ultimately, Woods's performance at Pinehurst No. 2 demonstrated a blend of tactical planning and inconsistent execution. His conservative approach, aiming for the fat sides of greens, requires better precision and execution in the days to come.
It is crucial for Woods to address his putting woes and sharpen his iron play as he looks to make a climb up the leaderboard. While the early momentum may have faded, Tiger Woods has not yet run out of opportunities. For a golfer of Woods's caliber, a comeback is always within the realm of possibility.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Tiger can make the necessary adjustments to rediscover his form and mount a serious challenge at the 2024 U.S. Open.