Tiger Woods has arrived early for the US Open and will appear at Pinehurst in North Carolina on Sunday ahead of the third major of the year.
The 48-year-old Woods looked at the course for the first time this weekend, because he wanted to get an advantage over the rest of the field. Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler were also in attendance this weekend.
Woods is preparing for just his fourth start of the season and first since the PGA Championship, where he missed the cut. He didn’t do much better at the Masters this year, finishing last after making it through the weekend.
The 15-time major winner caused concern among fans last week when a video surfaced of him apparently slurring his words while being recorded by fans at his own charity poker event in Las Vegas.
Woods also seemed a bit dazed in the clip and fans weren’t sure if he was just having a good time or if there was something to worry about.
Tiger Woods has arrived early in Pinehurst for the upcoming US Open
Woods, 48, will get an early look at the course before the next major
NEW: Tiger Woods sparks health scare at charity event in Vegas as viral clip raises eyebrows among fans.
A clip from his Tiger Jam poker charity event in Las Vegas showed him in what some fans described as a disturbing condition.
The video, created by poker pro Phil Hellmuth,… pic.twitter.com/fVbf5rBbVs
— Hank (@HANKonX) June 5, 2024
One golf fan account wrote: “Can we be real here for a second? Is there no one close enough in his camp who can intervene and give him real help? Someone from his family? Everyone?’
Woods has not commented on the video, but it appears to have been business as usual since then for one of the game’s all-time greats.
He was reportedly in New York on Friday for a meeting between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf as the two organizations work toward a merger.
While suggestions of a US Open victory are fanciful, it would undoubtedly mean a lot to Woods to show up and compete this week.
A close friend of Woods was quoted by the New York Post as saying he was growing frustrated with his on-court struggles this year and feared his career could one day end.
Woods had sparked concern among golf fans after a viral clip from a charity event
The footage comes from Woods’ performance at his own charity event in Las Vegas
“It’s been setback after setback for him, and it’s weighing heavily on him,” the friend said. “He’s really frustrated trying to figure out how to get back.
“He got picked on himself (during the PGA Championship). He has to do better. He would hate to see his career end just sitting around like a tired old horse. He doesn’t want to be embarrassed. He still wants to be a force.”
Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win at Pinehurst. The world number 1 had the perfect preparation for the event and won the Memorial Tournament in Muirfield on Sunday.