Tiger Woods will make U.S. Open minimize due to these 3 issues

Since 2011, Tiger Woods has performed in solely six U.S. Opens, making the minimize simply 3 times. He final teed it up in America’s nationwide championship 4 years in the past, when he did not make the weekend at Winged Foot throughout the pandemic.

5 months later, he was in a motorized vehicle accident in South California, which nearly led to the amputation of his leg. He additionally sustained traumatic accidents, together with a shattered ankle and compound fractures in his leg. That made many marvel if he might stroll once more, not to mention play golf.

However in true Tiger vogue, he battled again after this accident. He inexplicably made the minimize at Augusta Nationwide 14 months later and did so once more in 2024.

But, he has struggled to finish 72 holes in a number of majors, as he needed to withdraw from the 2022 PGA and 2023 Masters. He additionally missed the minimize on the 2022 Open Championship and, most not too long ago, on the 2024 PGA Championship.

Picture by Gregory Shamus/Getty Pictures

So why on this planet will we really feel that Woods will make the minimize this time round at Pinehurst No. 2? Listed below are three explanation why.

3. The climate

This week’s forecast requires temperatures within the low 90s, as warmth and humidity will blanket the gamers all week at Pinehurst No. 2.

Woods thrives in all these circumstances. Not solely does he get pleasure from training within the warmth, as he does at house in South Florida, nevertheless it additionally permits his physique to heat up sooner.

Earlier than enjoying competitively, Woods spends hours getting ready his physique to carry out, which frequently contains taking ice baths, stretching, and spending ample time on the vary. Sizzling circumstances assist expedite that course of.

However, chilly temperatures usually result in stiffness and soreness, which partially explains why Woods withdrew from the 2023 Masters. However he won’t need to cope with something like that this week, which is able to bode effectively for him.

2. Tee time luck

Woods bought a superb draw this week as he’ll headline the Early-Late wave for the primary two rounds. He’ll play alongside 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and 2022 U.S. Open runner-up Will Zalatoris throughout rounds one and two.

This trio will start their championship at 7:29 a.m. ET on Thursday on the tenth tee, a par-5. The tenth gap at Pinehurst No. 2 is not any slouch, nevertheless it does current a possibility proper out of the gate. It performed because the third best gap in 2014 and is a reasonably simple fairway to hit. Maybe Woods can get off on the appropriate foot early.

Then, on Friday, Woods, Zalatoris, and Fitzpatrick will start their second rounds at 1:14 p.m. ET, giving the 15-time main champion loads of time to relaxation, recuperate, and recuperate. He will even have all morning to loosen up for his second spherical.

Picture by Gregory Shamus/Getty Pictures

1. The course itself

In contrast to Augusta Nationwide, and to a lesser extent, Valhalla, Pinehurst No. 2 doesn’t characteristic steep hills and extreme undulations. Its a a lot simpler course to traverse, which performs into Woods’ palms.

He has admitted quite a few instances that he can hit any golf shot that he needs, however merely strolling the golf course has confirmed troublesome due to his illnesses. But, he feels prepared.

“I really feel like I’ve the power to have the ability to [win],” Woods mentioned Tuesday.

“It’s only a matter of doing it. This golf course goes to check each single side of your recreation, particularly mentally, and simply the psychological self-discipline that it takes to play this specific golf course, it’s going to take quite a bit.”

However no less than it won’t pressure on him bodily, or to the extent that Augusta has.

However, Woods didn’t compete at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014. He missed that match as a consequence of a again harm. However he completed runner-up at this course in 2005. Then, in 1999, he had an ideal probability to win it, however a late bogey on the par-3 seventeenth sunk his hopes. He finally tied for third.

Woods has had success right here, regardless that it got here earlier than the 2010 restoration carried out by Invoice Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

“The look off the tees are about the identical,” Woods mentioned.

“I do know it’s extra native and extra open trying. However from what I bear in mind from ‘05 and what I noticed in ‘14, sure, there’s a little bit of a change. However that’s actually no large deal. The surrounds are very totally different. Going from bent to Bermuda [grass], it’s a important change.”

Regardless of the modifications, Woods feels assured at this course, and for these causes, we consider he’ll earn a 3rd spherical tee time on Saturday.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.