PINEHURST, N.C. — Last week at the Memorial, Collin Morikawa painted a positive picture about the state of Tiger Woods’ game, which will be tested in this week’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
Morikawa had participated in a youth clinic with Woods the week prior and was asked about Woods’ ability to compete at his age, 48, and with his physical limitations with lower leg and back issues.
“The skill and the feel [are] still all there,’’ Morikawa said.
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When Morikawa’s assessment of Woods’ game was relayed to Woods on Tuesday in advance of Thursday’s opening round, Woods didn’t disagree.
“Yeah, I do 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 single aspect of your game, especially mentally.’’
Woods comes to this U.S. Open having played in three tournaments this year — a withdrawal from his own event, the Genesis Invitational, a 60th-place finish at the Masters, which was last among the players who made the cut, and a missed cut at the PGA Championship last month at Valhalla.
The year before, Woods played in only two PGA Tour events — a tie for 45th at the Genesis and a withdrawal from the Masters after two rounds.
In the 2021-22 season, Woods played in only three tournaments — a tie for 47th at the Genesis, with withdrawal from the PGA after three rounds and a missed cut at the British Open.
Woods’ last U.S. Open was in 2020, when he missed the cut at Winged Foot.
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You get the picture: Woods has been reduced to what has been occasional ceremonial golf.
An interesting aspect to this week is the weather and the golf course — two things that might aid him in delivering a result.
Woods finds it physically challenging to walk hilly golf courses, like Augusta National and Valhalla.
He, too, has been hindered by cold, raw conditions that compounded his physical condition.
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Pinehurst No. 2 is a very flat layout and the weather is forecast to be in the 90s all week with no rain. Those are two elements Woods welcomes.
“It’s like home,’’ Woods said, referring to his base in South Florida. “Hot and humid is what we deal with every single day at home in Florida, so that’s nothing new. I would rather play in hot, humid conditions any day than anything cold. I think pretty much anyone my age will definitely like it a little hotter.’’
Another thing that Woods welcomes is the presence of his 15-year-old son, Charlie, who’s been at his side all week during practice.
“Having Charlie out here is very special,’’ Woods said. “To have the father-son relationship that we have and to extend it into this part of both of our lives — he’s playing a lot of junior golf and I’m still playing out here.”
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“It’s neat for him to see the guys that he watches on TV and YouTube and TikTok, whatever the hell it is that they do. At home he’s with JT [Justin Thomas] and Rick [Rickie Fowler] a lot. But to see other guys hit the golf ball, it doesn’t really do it justice until you actually see it in person.
“He was very excited today [in the practice round] to watch Max [Homa] and Min Woo [Lee] and watch them hit golf balls. They’ve talked to him quite a bit, especially Min Woo and him. I think they’re closer in age than I am to anybody else. It’s great for us to be able to share these moments together.’’
Woods actually said Charlie has helped him with golf advice for his game.
“I trust him with my swing and my game,’’ Woods said. “He’s seen it more than anybody else in the world. He’s seen me hit more golf balls than anyone. I tell him what to look for, especially with putting. He gave me a couple little side bits today, which was great, because I get so entrenched in hitting certain putts to certain pins, I tend to forget some of the things I’m working on. He reminds me every now and again, which is great.
“We have a great relationship and rapport like that, and it’s a wonderful experience for both of us.’’
Woods, a three-time winner of the U.S. Open, is in the field this week on a special exemption from the USGA.
He finished runner-up at the 2005 Pinehurst U.S. Open won by Michael Campbell and tied for third in the 1999 Pinehurst U.S. Open won by Payne Stewart.
He didn’t play in the last U.S. Open at Pinehurst in 2014 because of a back injury.
