Tiger Woods and Adam Scott were among the players at Pinehurst No. 2 for the first full day of U.S. Open practice. Woods is returning to this Donald Ross gem after 19 years, experiencing changes due to a restoration project that replaced rough with native sandy areas and wiregrass bushes.
Scott, with a remarkable streak of 92 consecutive majors, secured his spot in the 156-man field after narrowly missing out in a qualifier. The USGA allocated six spots based on the Official World Golf Ranking, with the remaining spots going to alternates.
Scott's ranking dropped to 61, but he maintained his major streak. The challenging Pinehurst No. 2 course has historically seen few players finish under par in previous U.S. Opens.
Webb Simpson, a former U.S. Open champion, emphasized the difficulty of the course, highlighting the importance of discipline and accepting long putts.
Woods, besides his golf commitments, is set to receive the Bob Jones Award and is contemplating the Ryder Cup captaincy for 2025. He played a practice round with Fowler, Thomas, and Spieth, accompanied by his son Charley.
David Puig of Spain, a young player on the LIV Golf circuit, is vying for a spot in the Paris Olympics based on the world ranking. Maxwell Moldovan, a recent Ohio State graduate, secured a spot at Pinehurst after a series of events and favorable outcomes at the Memorial tournament.
The U.S. Open promises to be a challenging event, with players like Woods, Scott, and a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging talents vying for success on the demanding Pinehurst No. 2 course.
