Tiger Woods will not be playing at Pinehurst No. 2 this weekend after missing the cut at the U.S. Open. This marks the first time since 2015 that Woods has missed consecutive major cuts, following his 60th place finish at the Masters in April and missing the cut at the PGA Championship last month. Since winning the green jacket in 2019, Woods has not finished in the top 20 in any major he has played in, extending his longest streak of such finishes since the beginning of his career in 1995. Between 1997 and 2012, Woods never finished outside the top 20 in three consecutive majors, only failing to do so in back-to-back majors four times.
Woods had a disappointing start to the U.S. Open, birdieing his first hole but bogeying half of his final 12 holes on Thursday to finish with a 4-over 74. He briefly got inside the cut-line after a birdie on the par-4 fourth on Friday, but ultimately shot a 73. The 48-year-old has struggled to compete at a high level since a serious injury from a single-vehicle crash in 2021. Woods has not made the cut at the U.S. Open since 2019, with his best finish in recent years being a tie for 21st in 2012 and 2019. He has missed five cuts within that time period.
This was Woods’s third time competing at Pinehurst No. 2, where he finished third in the 1999 U.S. Open and second in 2005 behind Michael Campbell. He was not present at the course for the 2014 tournament. In his last 25 majors, Woods has only managed four top 20 finishes, indicating a decline in his performance level. Following finishes of sixth place at the Open Championship, second at the PGA Championship, and 15th at The Masters, Woods has struggled to reproduce similar success in recent years, with his most recent major cut at the U.S. Open being another setback in his career. Looking back at his successful career, Woods has faced challenges in maintaining consistent top 20 finishes in major tournaments, particularly in recent years.
Despite his struggles, Woods remains a legendary figure in golf, having dominated the sport for many years with his 15 major wins. While his recent results may suggest a decline in form, Woods’s legacy and impact on the game remain unquestionable. Fans and critics alike continue to watch closely as he navigates through challenges and attempts to recapture his earlier success. As Woods takes a break from the course this weekend, the golf world eagerly anticipates his return and hopes to see him back in top form in the near future.
