Tiger Woods Withdraw From 124th US OPEN After First Round

Tiger Woods displayed moments of brilliance and determination during the first round of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, ultimately finishing the day with a 4-over-par 74. Paired with Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick, Woods began his round on the par-5 10th hole. He started strong, sinking an 11-foot birdie putt, briefly climbing into contention and showing flashes of his legendary form.

Woods continued his promising start by making significant par saves from similar distances on the 12th and 13th holes. However, he missed a crucial birdie chance on the short par-4 14th, with his 11-foot attempt falling short of the hole. This missed opportunity marked the beginning of a challenging stretch. On the par-4 16th, Woods missed his first fairway of the day, leading to a bogey. Another bogey followed on the par-3 17th, where he missed a short putt.

Despite these setbacks, Woods completed his first nine holes with a score of 36 on the par-70 course, remaining within striking distance of the lead. However, the front nine presented more difficulties. A three-putt bogey on the 1st hole set off a string of missed opportunities, including short par putts on the 2nd and 4th holes. Over a seven-hole stretch, Woods recorded five bogeys, pushing his score to 4-over for the championship.

Woods demonstrated resilience and regained some momentum on the back nine. He birdied the par-5 5th hole with a well-executed 4-iron shot from the fairway and made crucial par saves on the challenging par-3 6th and par-4 7th holes, sinking putts from 8 and 17 feet, respectively. However, a bogey on the par-4 8th, due to continuing struggles with his iron play, resulted in a final score of 4-over 74 for the day.

Woods’ statistics for the round reflect a day of untapped potential marred by inconsistency. He hit 12 of 14 fairways, showcasing impressive driving accuracy. However, he managed to hit only 10 greens in regulation, highlighting issues with his iron play. This discrepancy will be crucial to address if he aims to make the cut and compete over the weekend.

Throughout the round, Woods employed a conservative strategy, aiming for the wider, safer parts of the greens. While this approach is prudent, it demands precise execution in his approach shots. To stay in contention and secure a spot for the weekend rounds, Woods must improve his iron play and capitalize on scoring opportunities across the demanding Pinehurst No. 2.

Tiger Woods, who has faced and overcome numerous challenges throughout his illustrious career, now faces another test. As he navigates this latest challenge, golf fans around the world will be watching closely, hoping to witness another memorable comeback.