Will he ever rediscover his form? Tiger Woods' woes continue at US Open
Tiger Woods of the United States reacts on the 18th green during the first round of the 115th U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay on June 18, 2015 in University Place, Washington. PHOTO | ROSS KINNAIRD |
What you need to know:
- Woods made bogey on three of his first four holes as he continued to struggle off the tee and even missed a routine five foot putt on the par-four sixth to make the turn at four-over 74.
- Woods' wayward tee shot sailed well right into the deep fescue grass, coming to rest on a steep bank and giving him an awkward downslope stance.
TACOMA
Tiger Woods threw his club, kicked the ground and even tried tying his shoes after a poor tee shot on the eighth hole to see if he could shake himself out of his season-long funk.
But nothing seemed to be working as the 14-time major winner had four bogeys in his first nine holes to get off to a rough start at the US Open at Chambers Bay on Thursday.
Woods made bogey on three of his first four holes as he continued to struggle off the tee and even missed a routine five foot putt on the par-four sixth to make the turn at four-over 74.
The quirky links-style Chambers Bay course is one of the longest in US Open history with an array of elevation changes that only adds to the mental and physical demands on the golfers.
The stretch from the fourth hole to the seventh is one of the most difficult par-four series the players are going to see all season. So with the state of Woods' game at the moment he was lucky to get through it in two-over par.
But just when he thought the worst might be over he reached the 602-yard, par-five eighth.
Woods' wayward tee shot sailed well right into the deep fescue grass, coming to rest on a steep bank and giving him an awkward downslope stance.
Woods paced the area and then took time out to tie his shoes while he pondered the difficult lie.
He stood over the ball and took a full swing, making contact but also hitting something else on the ground which caused him to fling his club about 30 feet backwards over his left shoulder.
BALL STOPPED
Woods turned around picked up the club and checked the shaft to make sure it wasn't broken or warped.
He then continued across to the other side of the fairway where his ball had stopped in more rough.
Despite his troubles, Woods reached the green on eight with his third shot giving him a birdie chance from 20 feet, but his first putt landed short and he tapped in for par.
As Woods was putting on the green on the sixth hole one a small airplane flew by overhead with a banner that said "CHEATER" trailing behind it apparently in reference to the marriage problems that led to the 2010 divorce from his first wife Elin Nordegren.
But the crowd on the ground at Chambers Bay seemed to be on Woods' side shouting encouragement when he made good shots like the person in the grandstand on number nine who yelled "It's good Tiger" after Woods' tee shot on the par-three landed on the green close to the pin.
