“We have set up right now the biggest events, are one per month so it sets itself up for that,” expressed a hopeful Tiger Woods back in 2023 before the Hero World Challenge. But little did he know that come the 2024 Genesis Invitational, he would be forced to face a setback that would put a hamper on his plans. And it doesn’t look like that was the end of his misfortunes, or so feels the legend’s ex-coach.
A video was posted by TWLEGION on their X handle showcasing the 15-time major champ practicing his swing on the golf course. The fan page of the golfer shared the same while posing a query, “Tiger Woods will finish in __ place at Pinehurst No. 2 next week #USOpen,” all the while urging the viewers to comment on the same. Well, Hank Haney, Woods’s former coach didn’t predict the placement but instead commented on his gameplay, and threw water on the athlete’s plans.
Tiger Woods’s gameplay gets a wake-up call
Haney went ahead to point out how good the 82-time PGA Tour champ’s swing was while alluding to the video. However, he quickly highlighted how playing an event once a month on the men’s circuit would be too difficult for the golfer; “Tiger’s swing looks really good but golf might be too hard a game to play once in a while at a high level.”
Tiger’s swing looks really good but golf might be too hard a game to play once in a while at a high level. https://t.co/1qz0xcYph7
— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) June 10, 2024
Back at the press conference ahead of the 2023 Hero World Challenge, the 48-year-old had divulged his plans for the 2024 season. He did so while expressing his desire to play a single tournament a month including the PLAYERS Championship. When queried about his schedule, he replied, “Would have to start with maybe at Genesis and something in March, near the Players.”
The Hall of Famer, however, came down with an illness causing him to pull out of the former. This, in turn, caused him to do away with his plans for the event dubbed as ‘The Fifth Major of Golf’ as well. Tiger Woods was then spotted again at the 2024 Masters Tournament where he finished T60 after four rounds of play.
Back at the 2024 PGA Championship, Mr. T unfortunately failed to make the cut all thanks to his sub-par figures of 72-77 over the two rounds. He finished with a total of 7 over par while dishing out a total of six birdies, seven bogeys, and two triple bogeys. The golfer failed to make his comeback to the majors a notable one. Even so, there’s a bit of hope in the midst of all these disappointments. Enter the 2024 U.S. Open, to which he was offered a special exemption.
Woods accepts a special exemption to the 2024 U.S. Open
“The U.S. Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career,” admitted Woods after he accepted the special invite to the major. He also expressed his appreciation for the same as he added, “I’m honored to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year’s U.S. Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game.”
The three-time U.S. Open champ had finished tied for T3 at the 1999 edition of the major and T2 at the 2005 edition, both of which were held at Pinehurst. His not being able to compete in the same back in 2014 when the tournament came back to the course makes this his first competitive appearance at the grounds in a whopping 19 years. Although his health concerns do pose a concern for the golfer to walk the whole course for four days, his fans would, nevertheless hope for the 15-time major champ to add one more major to his tally of wins!
