When it became apparent that the 2005 US Open was going to come down to two players, it probably felt like a matter of time before Tiger Woods overtook Michael Campbell and triumphed at Pinehurst.
Tiger Woods had won nine of his 15 major titles by the time the US Open arrived at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2005. Meanwhile, Michael Campbell had only booked his ticket to the event by going through qualifying in England.
Campbell had missed the cut at the previous four US Opens. And he actually went into the final round in Charlotte four shots back of the lead – held by Retief Goosen. However, Sunday proved to be something of a disaster for the South African, who posted an 81 in the final round.
Campbell meanwhile, made four birdies across the day to hold off the challenge of Woods. It was only the second time that Woods had finished second in a major, following the 2002 PGA Championship.
What Tiger Woods did after losing the 2005 US Open to Michael Campbell
The result meant that Campbell became New Zealand’s second ever male major champion. And what would have made the result all the sweeter was the gesture from Woods following the final day’s play.
Speaking on The Dom Harvey Show, Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams explained how Woods did something at Pinehurst he would never do again in his career.
“One thing about that tournament that most people don’t know is Tiger stood around for the presentation, which no-one ever would do when they finished second,” he said.
“Tiger knew the story of Michael and he had the utmost respect for that. He obviously knew that Michael and I were friends, and Michael’s caddie Michael Waite, known as Sponge, a New Zealander here from New Plymouth that was caddying for Michael at the time, he and I are great mates. And Tiger stood around for the presentation, which he would never do, and no-one who finishes runner-up, they’re not required at the presentation, he was there for the presentation, and that was a very special moment for me, just told me how much he respected the bond we had between New Zealanders, and that’s something that went unnoticed there.
“The only time he ever did it. He just had the utmost appreciation for Michael’s upbringing and his background and what he’d accomplished.”
What Tiger Woods said about Michael Campbell after the 2005 US Open
Woods did indeed show a lot of class with how he dealt with the disappointment of not winning the US Open 20 years ago. He clearly recognised that Campbell had faced a lot more challenges than simply negotiating 72 holes at Pinehurst over the week.
He had a career in which he made just 19 cuts in 52 major appearances, and the 2005 US Open saw just his second top 10 in the sport’s four biggest events. And Woods was full of praise for the way he fought back.
“Michael, after what he’s been through, and lost his game completely, and came back. He’s won a bunch of tournaments since then, and continually built up his resume. So hats off to him, because he was down in the doldrums there and worked his way out of it, and he’s now one of the best,” he said that day.
It is particularly interesting that Woods’ gesture took place at Pinehurst. Of course, the most recent US Open held at the course saw Rory McIlroy leave the grounds immediately after Bryson DeChambeau holed the putt to beat him last year.
While you could understand McIlroy’s actions, it would have been more impactful had he stuck around to congratulate DeChambeau at the end of one of the greatest days in major championship history.
It would appear that it is something that Woods may well have done.
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