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Woods’ missed cut was a step in the right direction

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Any assessment of what Tiger Woods’ missed cut at the Quicken Loans National means must begin with this question: “What did we expect?”

Yes, Tiger Woods missed his fourth 36-hole cut as a professional in his career. However, this missed cut was different than his other three, as our expectations were vastly different.

Until very recently, it was unclear whether Woods would return to competition this year, and it was widely known that he’d only been hitting full shots for less than two weeks heading into the Quicken Loans National.

Thus, with the formula of a major surgery plus a hundred-day layoff plus minimal practice, making the cut was always going to be a victory at one of the longest and most difficult non-major tracks on the PGA Tour.

So what happened out there?

As Tiger himself said:

“I made a ton of little, simple little mistakes, misjudging things and missing the ball on the wrong sides and just didn’t get up-and-down on little simple shots. Those are the little things I can correct, which is nice.”

After hitting 64 percent of fairways on Thursday, Woods was erratic off the tee Friday. He displayed deficiencies in all areas of his game during the second round and had trouble from the approach shot in on Thursday. He was historically bad when he missed the green, going just 3-for-16 in scrambling this week. The 18.8 percent rate of making par was the worst scrambling percentage of his career.

Here’s the full statistical breakdown of Woods’ two rounds, courtesy of PGATour.com:

Tiger Woods-Quicken Loans National-

What does it all mean?

Well, here’s Tiger’s position on his performance: “I came back four weeks earlier than we thought I could. I had no setbacks. I got my feel for playing tournament golf.”

Obviously, the major hurdle that had to be cleared was how his back would hold up. Not only did he not have any issues, but Woods also didn’t appear to be babying anything either. It’s safe to say the back was not a significant factor in Woods’ performance, and he repeatedly attested to being “pain free.” This is huge for the golfer in the short run, as he tries to finish out the season strong, and in the long run, as he tries to chase down Jack Nicklaus over the coming years.

Rex Hoggard of Golf Channel had an excellent take on the situation:

“This wasn’t about a score as much as it was getting a scorecard in his hand. This was about getting ready for the Open Championship in a fortnight at Royal Liverpool. About supporting an event that benefits his foundation and needed a boost after signing a new sponsor. And most importantly about giving his surgically repaired back a test drive.”

Hoggard hits the nail on the head. And here’s more of Tiger’s positive take on his play:

“I hate to say it, but I’m really encouraged by what happened this week. I missed the cut by four shots – that’s a lot. But the fact that what I was able to do physically, and the speed I had and the distance that I was hitting the golf ball again, I had not done that in a very long time. Felt great today. Then, as I said, I made so many little mistakes … all the little things that I know I can fix. But as I said, that’s very encouraging.”

Ultimately, although he never broke character and admitted he didn’t expect to win this week, Tiger Woods came to Congressional to get some reps, test his back, and lend his star power to the tournament his charity organizes and benefits from.

Thus, even though his play was sloppy and his short game was biblically awful, the missed cut is a significant step in the right direction.

The first round of The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool is July 17th. Woods will reportedly briefly vacation with his family next week and then begin his preparations to tackle the course where he won his last Open in 2006.

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18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. tlmck

    Jul 2, 2014 at 4:05 am

    Based on his own comments, Tiger is going nowhere fast. He is obsessed with swinging as fast and as hard as possible which causes most, if not all of his wayward shots. I believe he called it “tournament speed”. Yet on his slower, more controlled swings, he seems to hit good shot after good shot like in his heyday when he was “controlling” his golf ball. Seems like a no brainer to me, but he just does not seem to get it. Either that or he is letting his machismo get the better of him like so many idiots do.

  2. Straightdriver235

    Jun 29, 2014 at 8:12 am

    He still swings with the same tension problems he had before the injury, and still has the concentration look of a basket case instead of a conqueror. I am sad to say the exciting days of Tiger Woods are over. He may compete once in a while, and even win here and there. It is increasingly clear he will not ever overtake Jack. Is he better historically than Hogan or Jones? He is nearer to their level.

  3. DC

    Jun 29, 2014 at 5:44 am

    Thanks for providing a realistic analysis and factual context of the missed cut. All other news outlets get caught up in hype and over exaggeration in their goal for ratings and web clicks.

    If commentary and opinion was provided in this format, the news and journalism industry would achieve some semblance of credibility and trustworthiness.

    • Rich

      Jun 29, 2014 at 7:50 am

      So the most important story out of the tournament thus far is that he missed the cut? If everyone thinks that then golf is truly doomed when he finally explodes for good one day.

      • Dustin

        Jun 29, 2014 at 11:27 am

        Where did he say that this was the most important story of the tournament? He merely noted that this type of article, one based on statistics and facts alone, is what the media should strive for.

        • DC

          Jun 29, 2014 at 1:39 pm

          More importantly, an opinion or editorial based upon facts, evidence, and statistics. Not just on mere belief.

          We’re all entitled to our set of opinions, but no one is entitled to their own set of facts.

  4. Jack

    Jun 29, 2014 at 4:19 am

    Everyone who makes money in any way connected to golf is running scared! The tour is in big time trouble without Tiger, because the casual fan in really an anti-fan and really just a Tiger fan. Look at golf money before Tiger, look at the Tiger bubble, and consider where golf is headed over the next five years.

  5. Dennis Clark

    Jun 28, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    BTW, this missed cut is his 11th in 18 years. Phil has 79. Think about it. Good article Ben. DC

    • Jack

      Jun 29, 2014 at 4:21 am

      I think Jack missed around 23 cuts total for his entire PGA career.

  6. Rich

    Jun 28, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    This is ridiculous. HE MISSED THE CUT! Why is there a story and any analysis over it? You know what don’t answer that. It’s just stupid. Isn’t there something more interesting to write about? I guess not.

    • Todd Turner

      Jun 28, 2014 at 8:26 pm

      Duh, he moves the meter! It’s understandable you don’t like him, fine, but take blinders off!

      • Philip

        Jun 28, 2014 at 11:38 pm

        His comment has nothing to do with whether he likes Tiger or not. The news coverage does not make sense in the context of what it is about. However, the same was true for Arnold Palmer who still drew in crowds and was news worthy long after he stopped winning. Tiger will be no different.

        The everyday person is attracted to excitement and distractions. Not the normal situation when watching golfers which is why Arnold and now Tiger get so much attention. They bring showmanship to golf, just like the touchdown dance routines in football. Makes for better TV action.

  7. Pingback: Woods’ missed cut was a step in the right direction | Spacetimeandi.com

  8. Pat M

    Jun 28, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    He should take the rest of the year off to get well. He is getting old and the knee and back are issues. I don’t think he can win majors without Steve Williams. Steve was vital to Toger’s major wins.

  9. brett

    Jun 28, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    This post could have been said in three word ‘it means nothing’

  10. richard

    Jun 28, 2014 at 10:50 am

    The missed cut means nothing other than he got to play a couple of practice rounds to sort things out, but under tournament conditions. Let’s not over analyze things here…he needs more rounds under his belt, and he probably got tired of sitting around at home in Florida. He likes being on tour, and that is the best way to round his game back into shape at this point. If he’s not hurting, why not?

    • Major

      Jun 28, 2014 at 5:31 pm

      He only plays like 17 tournaments all year when he’s healthy, compared to a guy like Furyk who plays 33 or more. How’s that translating to “liking” playing on the tour for Woods? He obviously only plays for the money or for the Majors.

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News

Morning 9: Pendrith’s maiden Tour win | Morikawa back with former coach | Brooks victorious

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Monday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour gives us yet another breakthrough winner.

1. Pendrith wins first PGA Tour title

AP Report…”Taylor Pendrith took advantage of Ben Kohles’ final-hole meltdown to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title.”

  • “Kohles overtook Pendrith with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 for a one-shot lead then bogeyed the 18th after hitting his second shot into greenside rough. After having to chip twice from the rough and already looking stunned, Kohles missed a 6-foot putt that would have forced a playoff.”
  • “Pendrith two-putted for birdie on the 18th, holing a 3-footer for a 4-under 67 and 23-under 261 total at the TPC Craig Ranch. The 32-year-old Canadian won in his 74th career PGA Tour start.”
Full piece.

2. Koepka takes LIV title in Singapore

S.I.’s Bob Harig…”Brooks Koepka became the first player to win four times as part of the LIV Golf League, shooting a final-round 68 at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore on Sunday to beat Cam Smith and Marc Leishman by two strokes.”

  • “His timing wasn’t bad, either.”
  • “A few days after offering concern about his game in light of a poor Masters performance, Koepka stepped up and won the LIV Golf Singapore even to give himself a boost heading into the defense of his PGA Championship title in two weeks.”
  • “The year’s second major begins on May 16.”
Full piece.

3. Otaegui wins Volvo China

AP report…”Adrian Otaegui overturned a five-shot deficit to win the Volvo China Open on Sunday, the Spaniard’s fifth tour title.”

  • “Otaegui had been trailing the in-form Sebastian Söderberg after Friday’s round – Saturday’s was cancelled because of thunder and lightning – and he shot 7-under 65 in his final round to win by one shot from Guido Migliozzi, who finished runner up with a 67.”
Full piece.

4. ICYMI: Teen Kim makes the cut

Guardian report…”English teenager Kris Kim became the youngest player to make the cut on the PGA Tour in 11 years after a birdie at the last saw him get through to the weekend of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas with a shot to spare.”

  • “Amateur Kim, the son of former LPGA player Ji-Hyun Suh, made a second-round four-under-par 67, which included a run of five birdies and one bogey over his front nine.”
  • “At 16 years and seven months he became the youngest player to make the cut on tour since 14-year-old Guan Tianlang at the 2013 Masters, and, according to the PGA Tour, the fifth youngest in history.”
Full piece.

5. Winner in a rainout

AP report…”Scott Dunlap was declared the 36-hole winner of the Insperity Invitational when rain washed the final round Sunday, giving Dunlap his first PGA Tour Champions title in nearly 10 years.”

  • “Devastating rain in the Houston area previously washed out the opening round Friday. Players managed to play 36 holes on Saturday, and Dunlap posted a 2-under 70 to take a one-shot lead over Joe Durant and Stuart Appleby.”
  • “That proved to be the winning score when rain soaked The Woodlands Country Club. It was the second 36-hole event in the last three weeks on the PGA Tour Champions because of weather. The other was in the Dallas area.”
Full piece.

6. Morikawa back with former coach

7. Winner’s bag: Taylor Pendrith

Presented by 2nd Swing

Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees)

Shaft: ACCRA TZ Six ST

3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green Small Batch 80 6.5 TX

7-wood: Ping G430 MAX (20.5 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green Small Batch 90 6.5 TX

Irons: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (4, 5), Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6-9)

Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 6.5 90, 6.5 100 (2-3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Cleveland RTX 6 Tour Rack (46-10 Mid, 52-10 Mid, 56-10 Mid, 60-9 Full)

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Odyssey Jailbird Versa

Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Full WITB.
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Morning 9: Tiger confirms playing schedule | Player: This caused Tiger’s downfall

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson gets underway.

1. Woods confirms he plans to play 1x monthly, remaining 3 majors

ESPN report…”Woods, appearing on the “Today” show Wednesday morning, said he is still following the calendar he mapped out before the season began. But physical limitations continue to give the 15-time major winner pause.”

  • “He completed the Masters last month but requires a “cold plunge every day, religiously” to get his body going and was “extremely sore” when he left Augusta National. Woods shot a 16-over 304 at the Masters and finished last among the 60 golfers who made the 36-hole cut.”
  • “I have basically the next three months — three majors — and hopefully that works out,” said Woods, who last won a major in 2019.
  • “Up next is the PGA Championship at Valhalla in two weeks. The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 begins June 13, and the Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland begins July 18. Woods has not played all four majors in a year since 2019.”
Full piece.

2. Tiger on origin of red-and-black Sunday outfit

Ben Morse for CNN…”…speaking on Tuesday’s edition of ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,’ the 48-year-old said his mother Kultida was key to him wearing the now-iconic red and black combination.”

  • “My mom thought, being a Capricorn, that [red] was my power color, or some BS thing like that, so I end up wearing red and end up winning some golf tournaments,” the 15-time major winner told Fallon. “And then to spite her, I wore blue, and I did not win those tournaments. So Mom is always right.”
  • “Woods’ mother was clearly was onto something as her son would go onto win a record-equaling 82 PGA Tour tournaments.”
Full piece.

3. Gary Player’s take on Tiger’s downfall

Our Matt Vincenzi…”While speaking with KW Golf, golf legend Gary Player said that he believes swing coaches ruined the career of Tiger Woods.”

  • “The US Open at Pebble Beach, he won by 15 shots. You know what that’s like? It’s like running the 100 meters in seven seconds. The next week, he’s having a lesson from a man who, I don’t think, if he played in the Masters, could break 80.”
  • “And then he goes to another guy who couldn’t probably break 85 in the Masters with the pressure, or the British Open or the PGA on the final day. And he’s having lessons from them.”
  • “Why did Tiger do that? He was so good, but I understand he wanted to get better,” Player went on. “If he had just gone along and never changed, he would have won at least 22.. He would’ve gone down as the greatest athlete the world has ever seen.”
  • In 2008, Woods had won 14 majors and was 33 years old. It would take him eleven years to win his 15th at the 2019 Masters.
Full piece.

4. Open winner: I used to hate links golf

Peter Scrivener for the BBC…”However, he did recall his chastening links golf baptism at neighbouring Prestwick, which hosted the inaugural Open in 1860.”

  • “The first time I played links golf I hated it – it ate me to pieces,” said the 37-year-old, who lost all four of his matches as Europe thrashed the United States in the 2006 Palmer Cup.
  • “I kept trying to hit lob wedges around the greens and the weather was bad. I got whipped, lost all of my matches.”
Full piece.

5. Why Tiger’s daughter doesn’t like golf

Our Matt Vincenzi…”While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.”

  • “On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.”
  • “Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.
  • “We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”
Full piece.

6. Spieth hits ‘reset button’

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”PGA Tour star Jordan Spieth isn’t happy that he’s not playing as well as his longtime friend Scottie Scheffler, but he’s hoping to use the world No. 1 golfer’s success as inspiration.”

  • “Spieth, a three-time major championship winner, said he used last week as a reset after a so-so start to the 2024 season. He has three top-10 finishes in 10 starts but had a disqualification and three missed cuts, including at The Players and Masters, in his past seven.”
  • “He is hoping to turn things around, starting at The CJ Cup Bryon Nelson, which tees off Thursday at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.”
  • “I think I kind of wanted to hit the reset button this last week and I took more days off than I usually do,” Spieth told reporters Wednesday. “Got a little burned out trying to find stuff. I wanted to take some time off, clear my mind, and then get back to it.
  • “… Kind of looking at this as kind of a restart. I haven’t had the year I wanted to have after getting off to a pretty optimistic start in Hawaii. I feel really good about the work I put in since the weekend into the few days this week, so I believe that I’m really close to some great things.”
Full piece.

7. Photos from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson

  • Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!
Full Piece.
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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson

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GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).

Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.

We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.

 

 

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