Tiger Woods, the legendary golfer, has suggested that he might have played his final US Open following a disappointing performance at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.
Woods, who has struggled with severe leg injuries from a 2021 car crash, missed the cut by two shots, finishing his second round with a three-over-par 73, and a total of seven over for the tournament.
Woods’ performance on the challenging course was marred by inconsistency. He started the second round with promise, sinking a long birdie putt on the par-4 fourth hole. However, he immediately followed this with a bogey on the next hole and added three more bogeys without managing any further birdies.
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The cut line was set at five over par, allowing only the top 60 players and ties to progress, leaving Woods out of contention.
The 48-year-old Woods, a 15-time major champion, has seen limited action in recent years, mainly due to his injuries. His current ranking required him to obtain a special exemption to participate in this year’s US Open. Before the tournament, Woods had planned to compete in one event per month for the remainder of the year. However, he revealed that the upcoming British Open Championship at Royal Troon might be his final tournament for 2024, citing the toll his ageing body has taken.
Reflecting on his performance and future, Woods admitted the possibility of his last US Open appearance.
“It’s one of those things where in order to win a golf tournament, you have to make the cut,” Woods said. “I can’t win the tournament from where I’m at, so it certainly is frustrating. I thought I played well enough to be up there in contention. It just didn’t work out.”
Despite his frustration, Woods remains uncertain about his future participation in the US Open and other major championships. One of his most memorable victories came at the 2008 US Open, where he triumphed over Rocco Mediate in a dramatic sudden-death playoff after an 18-hole tie.
Pinehurst’s challenging ‘turtleback’ greens, known for their difficulty, were a significant talking point before the tournament.
Woods had expressed excitement about the challenge, describing it as a “great test and a great war of attrition.” However, his struggle with the course was evident as he failed to make the cut, leading to his candid admission about his performance and future in competitive golf.
Woods has consistently excelled at the Masters, making the cut for a record 24 consecutive times. Yet, his performance in other majors has faltered, with his last cut made at the 2022 PGA Championship, where he withdrew due to plantar fasciitis.
As he faces the possibility of retirement, Woods’ legacy remains firmly entrenched in the history of golf, marked by his resilience and numerous achievements.
