Fans praised Tiger Woods for his classy gesture towards Justin Thomas after the pair struggled in the first round of the US Open on Thursday.
Woods, a 15-time major champion, got off to a good start at Pinehurst. He birdied the first hole and drove well for most of his first round.
However, his iron play and putting issues made the difference, resulting in a four-over-par 74. Meanwhile, Thomas didn’t have the best of days either.
The former USPGA champion will likely miss the cut after a round of seven-over 77.
After their tough rounds, Woods and Thomas arrived at the range, where Woods appeared to advise his competitor and friend. Golf. com, James Colgan took a photo of the interaction, which gained traction on X.
Tiger Woods praised for giving advice to Justin Thomas after his first round at Pinehurst
“Tiger steps in to give Justin Thomas some on-course advice after a tough first round,” Colgan wrote. “You don’t see that very often at the US Open.”
“Tiger can do no wrong,” one user wrote in the comments.
“I don’t understand how anyone could see the downsides of getting advice from one of the greatest golfers of all time,” added a second.
“That’s very nice of Tiger,” said a third. “JT has clearly been struggling with his game.”
Woods continues to compete in the majors despite his physical problems from a car accident in 2021. He made a record 24th consecutive cut at the Masters before shooting a third-round 82 at Augusta National. Woods also didn’t make the cut at the US PGA Championship.
Woods’ poor iron play and putting difficulties resulted in a four-over-par 74 in the first round.
Thomas, a former USPGA champion, will likely miss the cut after a round of seven-over 77.
“I’m getting better physically as the year goes on,” Woods said after receiving a USGA invite to Pinehurst.
“I just haven’t been able to play as much because I don’t want to get hurt before then I won’t be able to play in the big championships,” he added, pointing out the risk of injury.
‘It’s choosing your poison, right? He plays a lot with the potential of not playing, or not playing, and fighting not being as sharp.”