Tiger Woods given food for thought as ‘great news’ sent to him at US Open

Tiger Woods has received positive feedback regarding the conditions at Pinehurst No. 2, sparking optimism about his performance at the upcoming US Open. The legendary golfer, returning to the third major of the year for the first time since 2020, was granted a special exemption to bypass the qualifying rounds. Despite his struggles earlier this year, including finishing 16 over par at the Masters and missing the cut at the PGA Championship, experts believe he might fare better at Pinehurst.

Michael Collins, a former caddie and ESPN pundit, suggested that Woods has a chance to secure a top-20 finish at Pinehurst. Speaking on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Collins emphasized that the course conditions at Pinehurst No. 2 could work in Woods’ favor. He highlighted the relatively easy walk of the course as a significant advantage for Woods, who has faced mobility challenges in recent years. According to Collins, Pinehurst’s layout is less taxing compared to other major venues, which could alleviate some of the physical strain Woods has experienced in past tournaments.

Collins noted, “This might be the US Open course that he does well on. If you’re asking if there’s a chance, then yes, there is. Pinehurst is probably the easiest walk among the US Open venues, which is crucial for Tiger now. It’s not just the course itself, but also the walks and the stances that matter.”

In addition to the manageable course walk, Collins pointed out that the weather forecast is favorable for Woods. With temperatures expected to be over 30 degrees Celsius (around 90 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the tournament, the warm conditions could be beneficial for Woods’ back and overall physical condition. Collins explained that a sand-based course like Pinehurst is less likely to become problematic even if the weather turns bad and the course becomes soft. He stressed that if Woods can keep his shots on the fairways and greens, he could potentially have a strong showing.

Despite this optimism, Collins tempered expectations about Woods’ chances of winning the tournament. He responded to suggestions of a possible victory with, “No, take it easy bro, relax,” underscoring the realistic outlook for Woods’ performance.

Woods, a three-time US Open champion, is set to tee off alongside Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 English champion, on Thursday morning. This marks Woods’ attempt to complete all 72 holes of a tournament for only the fourth time since November 2020. Adding to the personal significance of the event, Woods will be joined by his 15-year-old son, Charlie, whom he trusts for advice on his swing game due to their extensive practice sessions together.

As Woods prepares for the challenge at Pinehurst, the supportive conditions and his son’s presence might provide the boost he needs to achieve a noteworthy performance.