Tiger Woods: Examining His Playing History at Bethpage Black

2009 U.S. Open

While the first round during 2012 was easily the best for Tiger Woods, his first round at the 2009 U.S. Open is one he would like to forget.

If it weren’t for three birdies that he had, the round could’ve been a disaster. Pairing those with two double bogeys and three bogeys, Woods ended up with a four-over 74, and was ten shots (TEN!) behind former Masters winner Mike Wier, the lefty from Canada.

Tiger would play quite well the rest of the week. He shot 69-68-69, to end up even for the entirety of the event. It was too little too late, even with everyone else faltering during the final round. Only seven people shot in the 60’s during that final round, and Tiger was one of them.

It was enough to get him to a solid finish, and he ended up T-6th, only four strokes back of that year’s winner, Lucas Glover.

If Tiger could’ve played par golf the first day, he would’ve ended up tied with Glover. No one ever wants to be tied with Tiger at the end of a tournament, as the pressure is immense. Would it have gotten to Glover? We will never know, as the disaster opening round doomed the week for Tiger Woods.

Looking at the last three rounds did show his ability to score and stay in the hunt, and was reminiscent of his first professional round at Bethpage Black, one that was quite impressive.