Tiger Woods believes his body is in a spot where he can win the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2.
Tiger Woods might be priced up with the bookies at odds of 225/1 to win the 2024 US Open but the former World No.1 is adamant he can land a 16th career major title at Pinehurst No.2 this week.
Woods, 48, was pressed by a reporter in the media centre on the eve of the third major of the season in North Carolina as to whether he feels like his body is in a spot where he can win a fourth US Open title.
In typical buoyant Woods fashion, he replied:
“Yeah, I do. I feel like I have the strength to be able to do it. It’s just a matter of doing it.”
A bold call from Woods you might think, especially having gone WD-60-MC in just three tournament appearances in 2024.
But how many of us wrote him off ahead of the 2019 Masters?!
Woods set a new consecutive cuts record at the 2024 Masters in April but he would go on to finish last (60th) of those that made the cut.
Before that he was forced to WD during the second round of the Gensis Invitational, and he also went on to miss the cut in his last start at the US PGA.
Woods’ playing schedule has been limited this season as a result of still recovering from ankle surgery last season.
That was after his horror car crash in February 2021.
Woods admits he can still ‘play all the shots’ but struggles to walk around all 72 holes.
TIGER WOODS GOLF RESULTS 2024
Genesis Invitational WD
The Masters 60
US PGA MC
Woods needs to win three more majors to tie the record set by Jack Nicklaus on 18.
He won his last three US Open titles at Pebble Beach (2000), Bethpage Black (2002) and Torrey Pines (2008).
As for whether Pinehurst No.2 is a good fit for him, Woods knows it will be a test but is at least happy conditions are going to be warm.
“It’s like home,” said Woods.
“Hot and humid is what we deal with every single day at home in Florida, so that’s nothing new.
“It’s just making sure that I keep hydrated and the mental tax that the heat will bring. It’s going to bring it to all of us, not just me. Everyone is going to be tested.
“It’s going to make for long rounds with the falloffs and run-offs on the greens. The rounds time-wise are going to be a little bit longer. Then when you’re out in the heat for that length and period of time, that’s going to take a little bit of wear and tear on you.”
Woods added: “This golf course is going to test every single aspect of your game, especially mentally, and just the mental discipline that it takes to play this particular golf course, it’s going to take a lot.
“We’ve been working on that and making sure that I understand the game plan and be ready in two more days.”
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