Tiger Woods made a promising start at the U.S. Open with a birdie on the first hole, briefly leading the leaderboard. However, the rest of his round painted a different picture of his current game compared to his past dominance.
While Woods showcased his exceptional driving skills, hitting 12 of 14 fairways, his iron play faltered on the demanding Pinehurst No. 2 course. He struggled with accuracy, hitting only half the greens in regulation and enduring a stretch of five bogeys in seven holes.
The challenging Donald Ross layout posed difficulties for Woods, with its contoured greens causing shots that would typically yield birdie chances to roll off into collection areas. Woods highlighted the unique difficulty of getting the ball close on such unforgiving greens.
Despite the setbacks, Woods managed to avoid any major disasters and finished with a 4-over 74, keeping him in contention to make the cut. This marked an improvement over his recent struggles at the PGA Championship.
Woods' physical condition, often a concern in recent years due to multiple surgeries, seemed to hold up well during the round. The flat terrain of Pinehurst and favorable weather conditions contributed to his comfort on the course.
Reflecting on his performance, Woods acknowledged the challenges of infrequent play due to his health issues. He expressed a desire to play more regularly in the future, hoping his body will allow for increased participation.
As Woods prepares for the next round, he remains optimistic about his prospects and aims to address the inconsistencies in his game. With a focus on recovery and improvement, Woods looks to build on his performance and compete at the highest level in the U.S. Open.
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