News

Woods’ missed cut was a step in the right direction

Published

12 years ago

Jun 28, 2014

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 17^th. 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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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

18 Comments

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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - 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.
      
      Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
- Jack
  
  Jun 29, 2014 at 4:21 am
  
  I think Jack missed around 23 cuts total for his entire PGA career.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
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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.

Reply Report comment
- Kyle
  
  Jun 28, 2014 at 3:35 pm
  
  Lol. That was funny to read. Thanks!
  
  Reply Report comment
brett

Jun 28, 2014 at 12:10 pm

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

Reply Report comment
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?

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment

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