USA TODAY International Edition
Closing rush salvages Tiger’s dull US Open week
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – For the first six holes in Sunday’s final round of the U.S. Open, Tiger Woods resembled the cool, overcast weather pattern known as the June Gloom that parked itself over Pebble Beach for the week.
He didn’t look right, that he was a bit under the weather. Something didn’t feel right. And most of his shots certainly weren’t of the “be right” nature.
Wearing KT Tape on his neck — a therapeutic strip to treat pain — did nothing but heighten concerns.
Then the sun in his world broke through. With a birdie from 13 feet on the tiny seventh, the fog enveloping Woods evaporated. He put up another red number on the eighth from 5 feet, dropped a 40-foot bomb for birdie on the 13. He scored again from 5 feet on the 14th and from 8 feet on the 16th.
He ended his tale of two Tigers with a birdie from 5 feet on the final hole to finish with a 2-under-par 69 instead of the 80 he looked destined to shoot.
It was a pleasant way to cap off a dull week for Woods, who had lofty ambitions heading to Pebble, where he won the Open by a record 15 shots in 2000.
“Got off to another crappy start and was able to fight it off,” said Woods, who finished with rounds of 70-72-71-69. He was 11 shots behind leader Gary Woodland when he finished his 72nd hole. “Turned back around and got it to under par for the week, which normally is a good thing, but this week the guys are definitely taking to it.”
For the week, Woods wasn’t sharp with his irons and was so-so with the putter. Unlike during his tour de force in 2000, Woods kept finding himself in the wrong spots, such as above the hole or off the green facing a tucked pin.
From those places Woods was forced to call on a conservative approach and was never able to get in attack mode and stay there.
As for where he’s going next, Woods wouldn’t say. But it’s likely Woods will not play any of the upcoming four PGA Tour starts and will instead make his next start in the British Open at Royal Portrush on July 18-21.
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