Tiger Woods: ‘Game Is Where It Needs To Be Heading Into US Open’
Tiger Woods closed with a 72 at Muirfield Village to finish in a tie for 23rd place and six strokes off the playoff at the Memorial Tournament.
The 14-time major winner’s long game was impressive but it was his putting that let him down.
Woods averaged +2.79 strokes on the field each round with his approaches at the Memorial to lead the field.
He has now averaged over +2.5 Stroked Gained: Approach nine times in his career and won in seven of those weeks.
“Well, I just need to hit better putts. This week I didn’t really have, didn’t feel comfortable with my lines and my feel was a little bit off. Consequently I missed a bunch of putts,” he told ESPN after his round.
“But I hit it really good this week, so that’s a positive going into Shinnecock, where ball striking is going to be a must,” he continued.
Tiger Woods' 20+ year professional career has been…
“It’s a ball-striker’s golf course. You have to hit the golf ball well here. You cannot fake it around this place. Shinnecock, the way it’s set up with the rough and the fescue and the 7500, par 70, I mean it’s a big, big ballpark.
“This week [The Memorial Tournament], being as soft as it was this week, it’s a big ballpark. You had to carry the ball a long way, you weren’t going to chase it out there. Shinnecock could dry out by the time we play it, you never know. But if it doesn’t, it will be similar to this.”
Overall this year on the PGA Tour, Woods ranks 4th in SG: Approach the green, 5th in SG: Tee to green and 10th in overall Strokes Gained.
He is a lowly 120th in SG: Off the tee and 93rd in putting. If he gained 0 strokes in putting and driving at the Memorial, he would have won.
How do you think Woods will get on at the US Open? Let us know your thoughts on our social channels