Tiger Woods likely heading home early from U.S. Open

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Forget the wind, the tough set up, or anything else … Tiger Woods put it bluntly by saying, “You don’t win major championships by kind of slapping all around the place and missing putts.â€� It was a frank assessment of the 14-time major champions 78-72 efforts at Shinnecock Hills that left him 10-over par and almost certainly missing the weekend. But the 79-time PGA TOUR winner, whose major drought now will extend past the 10-year mark, will not be alone when it comes to big names heading home early. Two-time major winner and former PLAYERS champion Martin Kaymer (+18) and other major winners like Ernie Els (+17), Keegan Bradley (+15), Sergio Garcia (+14) and Adam Scott (+13) are likely already heading off the south fork. World No. 5 Jon Rahm (+15) is also cutting his time in New York short. It is increasingly likely that Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson and Jason Day will join them while Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson are in the midst of a battle on their back nine holes to have a chance. “I’m not very happy the way I played and the way I putted,â€� Woods added. It took two closing birdies just to get it to 10 under. Starting on the 10th hole Woods shot even par on his first nine holes thanks to two birdies and two bogeys before once again making a mess of the par-4 1st. A day after making a triple bogey from the middle of the fairway Woods made double bogey, once again after a good tee shot. Further bogeys on the second and fifth holes killed off his chances before he finally showed a little of the old magic late. “I wanted to shoot something around 68, 67. I thought that would have been a great score,â€� Woods said of his pre-round mentality. “I looked at it as kind of progressively putting myself back into position. I couldn’t chase down the leaders right away. It’s going to take me probably two and a half to three rounds to do it. Unfortunately, I went the other way.â€� Despite the setback Woods said he “absolutelyâ€� felt he could still win majors and retorted to a skeptic, “have you seen the way I’ve been swinging?â€� His next start will be the Quicken Loans National in two weeks where he will host with his foundation. To contend there he knows he needs to improve his putting. “Unfortunately, it’s just what I’ve done the last few events. I just haven’t putted well. If I would have putted like I did the beginning of the year with this ball striking, that would be ideal. Unfortunately, I just haven’t done that,â€� he added. “I haven’t made those key ones to keep the momentum going, or if I have any positive momentum, I miss a putt and derail it. I just haven’t made those key putts in the last few events.â€�

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