Tiger Woods arrived early at the US Open, showing up at Pinehurst in North Carolina on Sunday ahead of the third major of the year.
Woods, 48, got his first look at the course over the weekend as he looked to gain an advantage over the rest of the field. Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler were also in attendance over the weekend.
Woods is preparing for just his fourth start of the season and first since the PGA Championship, where he missed the cut. He didn’t fare much better at the Masters this year, finishing last after coming into the weekend.
The 15-time Major winner sparked concern among fans last week when video surfaced of him apparently slurring his words while being recorded by fans at his own charity poker event in Las Vegas.
Woods also seemed a little dazed in the clip and fans weren’t sure if he was just having a good time or if there was something to worry about.
Tiger Woods arrived early at Pinehurst for the next US Open
Woods, 48, is taking a look at the course ahead of the next major.
NEW: Tiger Woods raises health concerns at charity event in Las Vegas as viral clip shocks fans.
A clip from his Tiger Jam charity poker event in Las Vegas showed him in what some fans described as a worrying state.
The video, captured by poker pro Phil Hellmuth,… pic.twitter.com/fVbf5rBbVs
– Hank (@HANKonX) June 5, 2024
One golf fan account posted: ‘Can we be real for a second here? Isn’t there anyone close enough to him in his camp who can step in and give him real help? Someone from his family? Someone?’
Woods has not commented on the video, but it appears to have been par for the course since then for one of the game’s all-time greats.
He was reportedly in New York on Friday for a meeting between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf as the two organizations work to merge.
While suggestions of a US Open victory are fanciful, it would certainly mean a lot for Woods to show up and compete this week.
A close friend of Woods was quoted by the New York Post as saying that he was increasingly frustrated by his struggles on the course this year and fears how his career might one day end.
Woods had sparked concern among golf fans after a viral clip from a charity event.
The images come from Woods’ appearance at his own charity event in Las Vegas.
“It’s one setback after another for him, and it’s really weighing on him,” the friend said. “He’s really frustrated while he figures out how to get back.”
“He was mad at himself (at the PGA Championship). He’s got to do better. He’d hate for his career to end up limping like a tired old horse. He doesn’t want to be embarrassed. He still wants to be a force.”
Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win at Pinehurst. The world number one had the perfect preparation for the event and won the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield on Sunday.