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Can Tiger Wood win the 2010 US Open?
2021-06-18
Coming into the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach, circumstances are much different for Tiger Woods than the last time Pebble hosted the event in 2000. At that time, Woods was in the midst of a stretch of dominance the game had never before seen and might never see again. He would go on to win the tournament by a record 15 strokes and complete the first leg of the “Tiger Slam.” However, this time around, Woods enters the tournament with more questions and concerns than ever before in his career and his chances of winning are murky.
Six and a half months after his bizarre car accident and subsequent tabloid frenzy that revealed marital transgressions, there are some concerns that his legendary on-course focus is being compromised. Numerous reports have speculated that he and his wife are in the midst of filing for divorce, which all Golf Betting now think will hurt his chances to win any majors this year.
Even worse, Woods’ golf game is rusty and more in doubt than ever. He has only played four tournaments in the last seven months and failed to finish the tournament in two of those, giving him a grand total of 11 competitive rounds during that time. The task of fixing his swing flaws is magnified by the sudden resignation of his swing coach, Hank Haney. Woods has not hired a new coach and is relying solely on himself to diagnose what is plaguing him.
Another significant question is Woods’ health. He walked off the course during the final round of last month’s Players Championship, fearing that he had a bulging disk in his neck. Although tests refuted this, he was forced to rest and take time off. He has only played one tournament to test the neck’s condition and can’t be looking forward to subjecting it to the penal rough of the U.S. Open. Considering that he is one of the least accurate drivers on the PGA Tour and figures to hit some wayward shots, this raises significant concerns, and makes all Golf betting nervous.
Although Woods is currently the co-favorite with Phil Mickelson at odds of 6/1, it’s important to not be fooled. For reasons outlined in previous articles, Mickelson and Lee Westwood must be regarded as having better chances than Woods. These odds are a larger reflection of the perception that Woods will have a distinct advantage with the venue. However important this may be, it’s important to remember that the U.S. Open is the most demanding event in golf and requires one’s game to be in pinpoint condition. Currently, Woods’ game simply is not. Also, with a field of players as large and deep as that of the U.S. Open, odds are good that someone will break through with a spectacular week.
With all that being said, it would be ludicrous to dismiss Woods. If he has taught us anything over the years, it is that nobody should ever count him out. His victory on one healthy leg at the 2008 U.S. Open showed that he is capable of doing virtually anything on a golf course. He has consistently shown an ability to raise his game on golf’s grandest stages, including at this year’s Masters. In his first tournament back since the scandal, he fought insatiable media scrutiny and erratic play to somehow find himself in contention on Sunday and finish fourth. His familiarity with Augusta National and past success at the tournament undoubtedly helped.
He can rely on similar past success at next week’s U.S. Open. Even if the venue won’t necessarily give him a physical advantage, it can certainly give him a mental one, allowing him to summon memories from the 2000 edition, a singular performance that many call the best ever.
Also, if anyone is capable of fixing their own swing, it is Woods. Haney said he possesses a greater understanding of the golf swing’s technical aspects than any other player he has ever seen. Woods seems to be making strides too. Although he only finished tied for 19th in his first tournament back since the neck injury, he completed four rounds and said he feels that his game is approaching where he wants it to be.
We all know what the results are when Woods’ swing is at his best. The only question is if it will get there in time for the U.S. Open to give him a chance to win. In a week dominated by questions surrounding Woods, the state of his swing is the greatest one.
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