In the beginning, many of us may have taken some sick pleasure in seeing Tiger Woods struggle as badly as he was. It was refreshing to see the game that constantly gets the better of us mortals to also hand some punishment back to a man who had been making it look so easy for so long.
When the slump hit, we all assumed it would be temporary. He'd go away, get himself right and come back to tackle Jack's record. It didn't happen and it seems for all the world that it never will. Woods said this week that he would endure short term pain for long term gain. That pain kicked in yesterday and it kicked in hard.
For the second time in his professional career, Woods carded a score in the eighties at one of the majors. His 80 leaves him a staggering 15 shots off leaders Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson after the first day.
Tiger Woods' opening #USOpen round: 80.
It's his worst round at the event by three shots. pic.twitter.com/Kcvx5S3RlE— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 19, 2015
Coming off the back of his worst ever round, an 85 at the Memorial Tournament, those long term gains that Woods has been talking about look to be a long way off.
Tiger about to shoot third round in 80s of year. He had one between 1996 and 2014.
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) June 19, 2015
There was one positive for the 14 time major winner. The performance of his playing partner Rickie Fowler. The unique tests of Chambers Bay made mince meat of Fowler's game and he carded an 81, to leave him on +11. Speaking after his calamitous first round, Woods was following some classic Monty Python advice.
The bright side is at least I kicked Rickie's butt today.
That sense of humour might come in handy if this run of form continues for much longer.
