Tiger Woods admitted his US Open profession might be over after a disappointing miss at Pinehurst No.2.
The three-time US Open champion wanted a particular exemption from the USGA to play on this yr’s occasion, did not qualify for a serious on his personal benefit for the primary time in his skilled profession, after which struggled with rounds of 74 and 73 in North Carolina.
Woods completed the week with seven wins and suffered a second consecutive main miss, and was additionally knocked out of the PGA Championship early final month after ending final amongst those that made it to the weekend at The Masters.
The 15-time main champion has a lifetime exemption from The Masters and the PGA Championship and might play The Open till he turns 60, though he doesn’t presently robotically qualify for the US Open.
Requested if this yr’s US Open might be his final, Woods advised reporters: “I do not know what it’s. It might or is probably not.’
Woods was unsure about his future on the US Open after not enjoying in North Carolina
Woods combined one birdie and three bogeys in his second spherical to see him end two pictures off par, with the previous world No 1 disillusioned together with his closing efficiency.
“It is a type of issues the place as a way to win a golf event, you must make the lower,” Woods stated after the spherical. “I am unable to win a event from the place I am at, so after all it is irritating. I assumed I performed nicely sufficient to be aggressive. It simply did not work out.”
What went fallacious for Tiger?
Woods went up for par on the primary and holed out from 12 ft to keep away from a shot on the subsequent par-four, then noticed a 15-foot birdie putt on the fourth undone when he missed from eight ft to avoid wasting par on the fifth.
The 48-year-old then had an try at par, however it ended when he made two makes an attempt to clear the steep financial institution on the ninth and made a bogey, seeing him attain the flip in 36 earlier than settling for a par on the par-five 10s strategy monster that escaped from the again of the inexperienced.
His shot from the perimeter on the twelfth went about 10 ft previous the outlet and led to a different bogey to take him to 6 earlier than he watched in disbelief as three straight birdie possibilities narrowly missed the mark.
Woods’ hopes suffered an extra setback when a bogey on the par-four sixteenth left him and he wanted a birdie-birdie end, with a sensational save from the sand on the seventeenth and a closing par not ok to see him by means of to the weekend.
“That was in all probability the best rating I might have shot as we speak,” Woods stated. “I hit quite a lot of good pictures that I did not like, or I hit good pictures after which I hit some dangerous pictures with dangerous pictures.”
Woods was enjoying on the US Open for the primary time since 2020
Evaluation: Finish for Tiger at US Open?
4-time main champion Dame Laura Davis: “Every little thing we have seen during the last 18 months… when he tried to play, he did not combat. He did not run to us both, however in his opinion, he does not get into an argument, and he thinks that is what he wants. And why not be?
“All of the wins, all of the success he is had, and I hope it isn’t the final. After being disillusioned, you say stuff you won’t imply, however when Tiger says one thing, folks are inclined to pay attention.”
Use Chrome for a extra accessible video participant
Woods shoots a disappointing 74-over-4 within the first spherical of the US Open
Former PGA Champion Wealthy Beam: “We need to imagine it [is Woods’ last US Open], solely as a result of we nonetheless imagine he has little or no left. Going by means of these accidents, I do know it is simply taking its toll on him, however I hope it isn’t true.”
Sky Sports activities’ Nick Dougherty: “He got here into the competitors eager to try to compete, and he was removed from that. He would have hated each minute of the final two days.
Woods performed alongside Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick through the first two rounds at Pinehurst No. 2
“As somebody who performed in an period the place when you beat Tiger you often received, I do not get any pleasure out of watching everybody beat him now. As a lot as I need to watch him play, I solely need to watch him play when he can compete. He was so good to observe in his prime that it is laborious to let him go.”
Woods prepares for The Open
Woods stated earlier within the yr that he meant to play a full main schedule this season, one thing he hasn’t achieved since 2019, and he now turns his consideration to the Open at Royal Troon subsequent month.
Woods has already dominated out any PGA Tour appearances, though finishing all 4 majors in a calendar yr with out harm can be a step in the best path.
Use Chrome for a extra accessible video participant
See a number of the most effective pictures from Woods’ lengthy profession at The Open
“I solely have one event this season,” Woods confirmed. “Even when I win The Open, I do not suppose I will be within the [FedExCup] Playoffs. Only one extra occasion after which I will be again each time I come again.”
Woods was absent from final yr’s occasion at Hoylake and missed out on two earlier appearances, at Royal Portrush in 2019 and St Andrews in 2022, with the three-time champion trying to make his first look at The Open since his sixth-place end at Carnoustie in 2018.
Watch Tiger Woods in motion all through the primary season stay on Sky Sports activities, together with the 152nd Open at Royal Troon from July 18-21. Stream specialties and extra from NOW.
