The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2 is just days away – and 15-time major champion Tiger Woods is already at the North Carolina track ahead of the year’s third major.
Woods has made a habit of turning up early to the major championships. So far, in 2024, the 48-year-old has featured in The Masters and the PGA Championship.
After missing the cut at Valhalla, Woods will be looking to at least make the weekend on a course where he’s been successful in the past.
No.2 has a reputation for being one of the most challenging U.S. Open venues. During the history of the competition at the North Carolina course, only one player has finished with a 72-hole score lower than one under, Martin Kaymer, back in 2014.
Turtleback greens and run-off areas are the main challenges the world’s best will have to contend with – and Woods has been spotted playing an unusual shot in preparation for this week’s competition.
Tiger Woods spotted playing very unusual shot during practice round at Pinehurst No.2
Woods took to the course with Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Rickie Fowler on Monday.
With crowds already swarming Pinehurst’s fairways, patrons could get a glimpse of how the world’s best will tackle the unique challenge around the greens.
In a video shared by Golf Digest journalist Luke Dineen, Woods was seen using his four-iron to play low shots from just off the putting surface.
“Tiger hardly hit any normal chips during his first nine-hole practice round,” Dineen wrote on X. “Just a million of these low-fizzy bump and runs.”
Tiger must rely on his short game to stand a chance at Pinehurst this week
It feels like Woods will have to rely upon his brilliant short game to stand any chance of competing at Pinehurst this week.
Despite his physical limitations, his chipping and putting has withstood the test of time and is arguably still at an elite level.
Pinehurst’s set-up does feel like it could suit the former world number one. Woods could look to use the sloped fairways to his advantage, using longer irons off the tee, a tactic we’ve seen regularly in recent years.
Of course, it’s hard to tell how the former 15-time major winner will get on in tournament conditions, but if Tiger can make it through to the weekend, there will undoubtedly be a buzz around Pinehurst for the final two rounds.
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