It’s been some time since Tiger Woods teed it up in a U.S. Open. It’s additionally been 19 years since he final competed at Pinehurst No. 2, the place he completed runner-up to longshot winner Michael Campbell.
So, to assist re-familiarize himself with the course and higher put together for golf’s hardest take a look at, Woods has a ‘new coach’ accompanying him at Pinehurst this week.
That might be his 15-year-old son Charlie.
“I feel having Charlie out right here may be very particular. To have the father-son relationship that we now have and to increase it into this a part of each of our lives, he’s enjoying loads of junior golf, and I’m nonetheless enjoying out right here,” Woods mentioned Tuesday.
“I belief him with my swing and my sport. He’s seen it greater than anyone else on this planet. He’s seen me hit extra golf balls than anybody. I inform him what to search for, particularly with placing. He gave me a few little facet bits at this time, which was nice as a result of I get so entrenched in hitting sure putts to sure pins I are likely to overlook among the issues I’m engaged on.
“I simply wish to see the balls rolling. He jogs my memory each once in a while, which is nice. Now we have an ideal relationship and rapport like that, and it’s a beautiful expertise for each of us.”
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The greens have change into the preeminent matter at Pinehurst No. 2 this week, so Woods has spent ample time guaranteeing he has the correct velocity down.
The ‘turtleback’ shapes of those placing surfaces diminish the precise measurement of the greens and likewise ricochet golf balls down beneath the surfaces. That leads gamers to chip from precarious positions whereas forcing them to determine: do I putt from off the inexperienced? Or do I chip it? If that’s the case, with what membership? A wedge? 3-wood? 4-iron?
“There are just a few areas wherein I’d putt. There are additionally just a few areas wherein I’d use my 56 or 60 [degree wedge],” Woods mentioned.
“I’ve used as much as a 4-iron bump-and-running it, and I’ve tried just a few woods on the market. I didn’t like the way in which that reacted. However among the areas are extra grainy than others. I feel that’s one of many issues, for me specifically, I have to be careful for, is among the chatter that you just may get arising the hills and the way a lot velocity you’re going to have arising after which over the subsequent ridge.”
Woods and everybody else within the discipline should execute the velocity appropriately, or huge numbers loom. It solely takes one gap to destroy a championship; simply ask Nelly Korda concerning the twelfth gap at Lancaster Nation Membership.
“There’s loads of totally different shot picks, and the grain goes to play an enormous a part of it,” Woods additional defined.
“The previous few days enjoying observe rounds—I’m responsible in addition to the remainder of the fellows I’ve performed with—we’ve putted off loads of greens. It relies on how extreme the USGA needs to make this and the way shut they wish to get us as much as these sides. However I foresee, similar to in ‘05, watching some guys play ping-pong backwards and forwards. It may occur.”
Hopefully, for Woods’ sake, he doesn’t have a ping-pong expertise this week. However he has his son Charlie serving to him navigate all of it, a particular circumstance irrespective of the result.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Make sure to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
