Is this the last time we’ll see Tiger Woods at a US Open? The 15-time major champion hasn’t ruled out the possibility.
It was another frustrating major for Woods, whose seven-over-par total at Pinehurst No. 2 – a second round 73 following an opening 74 – saw him miss the cut by two.
Restricted by a schedule that is only seeing him play once a month, and only at the majors so far, Woods showed flashes of his old ability over two days in North Carolina but has also bemoaned his lack of sharpness.
The 48-year-old was given a special exemption into the tournament by the USGA, after his eligibility from winning the 2019 Masters expired.
And while it remains to be seen whether the governing body would extend another invitation next year – they handed out plenty to Jack Nicklaus in the latter part of his career – Woods has clearly been ruminating on what the future holds.
Asked if he had felt “hand on heart” this could be his last US Open, he said: “Well, it’s one of those things where in order to win a golf tournament, you have to make the cut.
“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.
“As far as my last Open Championship or US Open Championship, I don’t know what that is. It may or may not be.”
Tiger Woods US Open: “I’ll come back whenever I come back”
Earlier, Woods confirmed he had only “one more tournament this season” – The Open at Royal Troon. “I think even if I win the British Open I don’t think I’ll be in the [FedEx Cup] Playoffs. Just one more event and then I’ll come back whenever I come back.”
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Looking at his second round 73, where he saw a number of birdie putts on the back nine skim the hole that might otherwise have got him into the weekend, he said: “Well, it was probably the highest score I could have possibly shot today.
“I hit a lot of good shots that just didn’t quite go my way, or I hit good putts, and then I put myself in a couple bad spots with some bad lag putts.
“But again, as I said, it was probably the highest score I could have shot today.”
Pictures courtesy of the USGA
Now have your say
What do you think? Could this be Tiger Woods US Open finale? Should the USGA give him another exemption, or should he bow out gracefully? Let me know your thoughts by leaving me a comment on X.
