Tiger Woods begins with a birdie at the US Open in front of a packed crowd at Pinehurst – after outdriving playing partners 20 years younger than him!
Tiger Woods is on the road at the US Open, hitting his first tee shot down the middle of the 10th fairway at Pinehurst No. 2 before carding a birdie.
The three-time US Open winner, 48, started the first round at 7.29am local time in North Carolina and despite the early start, fans flocked to catch a glimpse of Woods.
He teed off alongside Matt Fitzpatrick, 29, the 2022 US Open champion, and Will Zalatoris, 27, and outdid them both with his first tee shot. And he closed his opening hole with a valuable birdie on a difficult course.
After making the cut and finishing last at Augusta, Woods missed the cut at the PGA Championship in May.
But he arrived at Pinehurst this week in an optimistic mood about his chances.
Three-time US Open winner Tiger Woods is on his way to the US Open in North Carolina
“I feel like I have the strength to be able to do it,” he said. ‘It’s just a matter of doing it.
‘This golf course is going to test every aspect of your game, especially mentally.
“We’ve been working on that and making sure I understand the game plan and be ready in two days. It’s like home. Hot and humid is what we deal with every day at home in Florida, so that’s nothing new.
“It just keeps me hydrated and the mental strain that the heat brings. It will happen to all of us, not just me. Everyone is going to be tested.
‘It’s going to be long rounds with the fall-offs and run-offs on the greens. The rounds will take a little longer in terms of time. If you’re in the heat for that long, it’s going to take a little bit of wear and tear.’
Woods arrived Sunday to survey the Pinehurst No. 2 course and his son Charlie, 15, even helped him prepare for the third Major of the year.
MORE TO FOLLOW