Opinion & Analysis
Is it time to stop expecting great things from Tiger Woods?
Members of the crowd could be heard laughing after Tiger Woods topped a shot on the last hole of Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. And maybe that’s the best recourse for Tiger after such a disappointing start to the season’s second major championship — just laugh it off. But it’s hard to shake the feeling that even Tiger can’t believe how poorly he is playing, and it only seems to be getting worse.
Heading into Friday, Woods finds himself 15 shots behind co-leaders Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson. It’s almost certain that he will miss the cut, and his score of 10-over-par 80 in Round 1 was only better than two other golfers in the field, one of which was playing partner Rickie Fowler (+11).
[quote_box_center]”Not very happy, that’s for sure,” Woods said after the round. “It was a tough day…The bright side is I kicked Rickie’s butt today.”[/quote_box_center]
Woods’ body language said that he didn’t feel good about the joke, but what else was there to say? Tiger Woods, a 14-time major champion, hit a handful of good shots mixed in with some of the worst shots anyone has ever seen him hit in a major championship.
Is this what golf fans should come to expect of Woods? At least that’s what the numbers say.
Of Woods’ 36 competitive rounds since the beginning of the 2013-14 season, 23 have been over-par. He’d only shot one score in the 80s on the PGA Tour before 2015, but now has four 80+ rounds. The fall has been so far and so fast that it’s easy to forget that Woods is now many, many fairways over from the No. 1-ranked golfer that he used to be.
For Tiger’s sanity and our own, it’s time to stop expecting great things from his golf game, at least until he seriously contends again. And the last time he did that was…
Isn’t it a shame that we can hardly remember?
Opinion & Analysis
5 Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship
Aronimink is not a storied club, but when Donald Ross himself proclaimed it to be as good as he can design and build, one had to take notice. Jay Sigel was the pre-eminent male amateur golfer from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He might have called any number of Philadelphia clubs home, but he chose Aronimink. It served him well. Gary Player won a PGA Championship here in 1962, and was followed by the 1993 winner … nobody. Aronimink gave that event away to Inverness, for reasons of which it is certainly not proud. So be it. We had to wait sixty-four years for the PGA to return to Newtown Square, but here we are. Aronimink has been neo-restored by Gil Hanse and team, to return Ross features with an eye toward defense against the dark arts, errrr, high-tech equipment.
Day one saw Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau dig big holes, to the tune of plus-four and plus-six, respectively. Since the first-round lead will be minus-three at worst, many shots will need to be made up for the power couple to reach contention. By nightfall, seven golfers held the day-one lead at three-under par 67. Shots and sticks caught our attention, and we are proud to present Five Things We Learned on Tech Thursday at the 2026 PGA Championship. Thanks to InsideTourGolfer, Today’s Golfer, and GolfWRX for initial equipment research.
First, meet Min Woo Lee
Min Woo Lee, aka Dr. Chipinski, has once again thrust himself into the conversation of Can he, will he, when will he? Lee has so much talent, wins not nearly as often as we believe that he should, and has no major near-misses (much less titles) on his wiki. The young Aussie is getting older and wiser, but is he able to avoid the scarring that holds the older and wiser back from breaking through? Philadelphia offers another opportunity. Min Woo signed for five birdies and two bogeys on day one, and grabbed a share of the opening-day lead at Aronimink. Winners transcend history and the moment, and Lee will need that sort of ascent to lift the Wannamaker on Sunday.
Second, meet Aldrich Potgeiter
The young South African golfer can rip driver with the best of them. Aronimink tips out at nearly 7400 yards, but beyond the fairway bunkers that ensnare only the mortals, Potgeiter can take his chances with wedge from the rough. On Thursday, he spent plenty of time in the spinach. Like Popeye, he used his muscles to gouge and thrash and dig his way out. Six birdies against three bogeys on the card brought AP in a three deep.
Third, meet Martin Kaymer
Not a major event takes place without a where’s he been throwback moment. We know that Martin Kaymer left the PGA and DP World tours for LIV golf, but the two-time (US Open and PGA) major winner has a lifetime exemption into at least one major event, and he seizes the opportunity each May. Kaymer joined the six-seven brigade with four birdies and a solitary bogey on day one. Kaymer was never a long hitter, and the years are kind to no golfer. The German champion will need to uncork every bottle of guile and strategy in his cabinet to remain in contention. For today, though, he occupies a rung on the ladder of Tour Tech.
Fourth, meet Scottie Scheffler
Let’s see, he’s the defending champion at the PGA, and he found his way back to the top tier with five birdies against two bogeys. To be a favorite and then play up to that stature and expectation is quite difficult. Just ask Rory, Bryson, and some of the other pre-tournament heartthrobs. Scheffler’s game is complete, and to knock him off the OWGR #1 pedestal, one needs to defeat him at the majors. Aronimink is the sort of course that fits Scheffler’s game. Better yet, it unfits the game of many of his challengers. Don’t expect Scheffler to go away anytime soon. Come Sunday, he’ll be around.
Fifth, meet Stephan Jaeger
Clocking in for the unheralded players shift are Ryo Hisatsune and Stephan Jaeger. Hisatsune logged seven birdies on day one, but gave most of them back with four bogeys. Still, he’s tied at the top for a time. Jaeger pitched five birdies against two bogeys, including a run of three consecutive, from holes four through six. Odds are that one of the two will hang around through 36 holes. Odds also suggest that both will be gone by Saturday evening. Still, the PGA Championship has historically been the major most likely to be won by an under-known. Both Hisatsune and Jaeger feature on that list, so good luck, lads!
Club Junkie
Club Junkie’s Titleist GTS driver fitting results!
On this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, I head to the Titleist Performance Institute for a full driver fitting with the new Titleist GTS lineup. We dive into the fitting process, talk about what made the biggest difference in performance, and break down how the different GTS heads and shaft combinations compare on the launch monitor. If you are thinking about a new driver setup for this season, there is a lot to take away from this one.
I also get into Brooks Koepka and the gear setup he brought to the PGA Championship, including the putters that caught my eye during the week. There are some interesting equipment trends showing up at the highest level right now and we break down what stands out.
To wrap things up, I talk about reshafting a few wedges, what I learned during the process, and swapping an adaptor onto a new shaft for another build project in the shop. A gear packed episode from start to finish for anyone who loves golf equipment and club building.
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Club Junkie
Club Junkie WITB, week 16: New Titleist GTS woods!
Excited for this week’s WITB as we get to add the new Titleist GTS woods to the bag! I was fit at Titleist’s TPI facility in Oceanside California a few weeks ago and my new clubs just showed up. I am also adding a cool set of irons that I built last year some wild custom wedges into a new golf bag. Speaking of the bag I have a new Ghost Anyday Black Ops stand bag that I will be using on my Motocaddy Remote M7 electric cart.
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (11 degrees @ 10.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6s
3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD CQ-7s
5-wood: Titleist GTS (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
9-wood: Titleist GT1 (24 degress)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
Irons: Bettinardi CB24 (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper Lite 110 stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (50-09 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (56-12 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (60-08 LB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Putter: Dan Carraher ZT Proto
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Bag: Ghost Anyday Black Ops Stand Bag
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Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoKristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
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Whats in the Bag2 weeks agoAaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
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Tour Photo Galleries3 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 PGA Championship
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Equipment2 weeks agoGolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
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Equipment2 weeks agoPGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
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News2 weeks agoWITB Time Machine: Phil Mickelson’s winning WITB, 2021 PGA Championship
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Equipment2 weeks agoWhich of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss
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Equipment2 weeks agoLead Tape Report: Adjusting the swingweight of the Wanamaker Trophy

Zyia
Dec 28, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Very short description. There is nothing wrong with Tigers game and i truly have knowledge of this. The truth is, that he is under force not to win. And wouldn’t you like to know!
Bobby Cunningham
Jun 20, 2015 at 10:54 pm
tigers age is irrelevant. This is 100% mental. I love tiger. It pains me to Him playing like this. No one has the right to criticize decisions in his personal life. But he does need to figure out a medication or a spiritual practice so he can forgive himself. The guy is in the best shape on tour. You can see it on his face. His mind is racing because he puts so much pressure on himself. And then in interviews he points to his swing issues. No one expects tiger to contend anymore. No one was shocked by this weekends performance. He needs some serious mental changes. Until that happens he’ll never win another tournament.
Forsbrand
Jun 20, 2015 at 3:39 pm
Tigers brain is fried. He needs to pack his clubs up and take a year off tour. He could visit every country in the world and hold clinics for young aspiring golfers and play one of the top courses with some local dignatories , top amateurs etc. not only is it what woods needs, something different from the norm, but he would be giving back to golf and also would be an excellent revenue drive for charities etc. I feel for Tiger but simply slugging it out on a range 6 hours a day is not going to cure him.
RG
Jun 20, 2015 at 1:45 am
Tiger needs to forget technique and find his rhythm.
Booger
Jun 20, 2015 at 12:36 am
Yes,yes it’s time. It’s also time to stop writing about him.
Pjm
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Tiger needs to step away from the game for 2yrs and figure out his life issues.
He will return with confidence.
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 8:41 pm
He should probably take 3 or 4 years off to repair his body and mind. Come back when he is about 45 years old.
Jeff
Jun 19, 2015 at 4:08 pm
I know how good he was but man, hasn’t he earned the right to play poorly? Just by his Player’s win in 2013 he’s qualified for lots of golf tournaments. I’m gonna suggest the guy has earned the right to shoot whatever score he shoots.
Golf Pro
Jun 19, 2015 at 1:06 pm
The “he’s 40” excuse is getting old. Theres plenty of players out there that are 40+ with only half of Tiger’s talent that are not throwing up 80s everywhere.
Tigers problem is he became obsessed with swing mechanics and he has no idea how to play by feel. Tiger has loads of talent that has been ruined by Como’s swing mechanics.
I think this issue will end his career.
Christosterone
Jun 19, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Vijay comes to mind as a performer in his 40s….his long, languid reverse C was/is the perfect swing for consistency into ones 40s….as shown by Colin Montgomerie and Tom Watson..
But Vijay’s prolific 40s record is the exception and not the rule…
Tiger would be lucky to win 50% as regularly as Vijay post 40….
Golf Pro
Jun 20, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Not that I expect him to win in his 40’s, but Tiger should be able to compete. Jim Furyk is 45 and he’s #3 in the world and known as a short hitter. Does he win? No, but he’s out there almost every week grinding and has some top 15’s.
Carl
Jun 19, 2015 at 11:26 am
Click bait
Rich
Jun 19, 2015 at 10:23 am
YES.
Kevin
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:43 am
It really is odd that he’s striping it so well on the range and then seems to lose control on the course. It is different than the decline Ian Baker Finch had in that way. I don’t think Tiger is finished, but he’s certainly on the wrong side of that razor’s edge that is high level competitive golf. It was harder for me to believe he shot 85 at the Memorial because he was doing ok at places where he had a real comfort level, The Masters is the perfect example. He was always mentally light years ahead of his competition, and this problem seems mental to me since he’s killing on the range. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Robeli
Jun 19, 2015 at 11:29 am
What role does the caddie play?
Mike
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:19 am
Golf is a brutal game because TW was one of the greatest golfers in the history of mankind. What was once the best swing in the modern era of golf and produced over a decade of greatness, excitement and countless roars from Augusta to the WGCs has evolved into a swing that struggles to break par. What’s worst is the destruction was self-inflicted. It’s a shame because TW made golf exciting to watch all four days for a very long time and who knows if we’ll ever live to see another great golfer that can win double digit majors.
Christosterone
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:41 am
Perfectly stated…not to mention he is 40. Jack didn’t win at a 25% clip from 1981-1990 either.
It’s just what happens.
That’s life.
Watching Tiger play like is reminds me of watching Jordan as a sixth man for the Wizards…sad but age slows us all down.
Woods may still have a few wins in him but we are definitely on the downside of his amazing career.
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:51 am
Was this after MJ was betting on games? Tiger and Stiney need to open the checkbook and pay Butch $5 million a year and Stevie $4 million a year. This is really disgraceful and embarassing,
Christosterone
Jun 19, 2015 at 1:54 pm
I have no idea to what you are referring.
Jordan left basketball in 94 and 95 to chase his dream of playing pro baseball for the white sox…
He hit a respectable .227 considering he hadn’t played since high school.
Jordan returned to the NBA where he led the Bulls to 3 more championships.
A few years after his final Bulls retirement he came out of retirement to play for the Wizards where he was a shell of his former self.
That is the feeling I get watching Tiger. Hope that helps answer your obtuse musings.
-Christosterone
Christosterone
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:04 am
To all the butch acolytes: tiger had a better winning percentage(by far) with Haney.
So if he should go back to anyone it should be hank. But we know that’s not gonna happen.
2007 Hoylake was a master class in golf…all 9 shots as Haney put it and putted like a god.
It is perhaps the loss of Steve Williams that has hurt him…though his age is the primary tool of degradation…
Anyhow, woods won 5 times just 2 years ago….he will figure it out and eventually pass Snead but jacks 18 seem unattainable on his current trajectory.
Christosterone
Jun 21, 2015 at 11:36 am
2006 Open Championship….my bad
Greg V
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:02 am
Fat tire bike.
Steve
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:01 am
Well it could only last 3 more years at this level. After that he wont qualify and most likely will lose his tour card, unless there is a rule for wins or majors I dont know about.
No one fears Tiger, it is sad that the second greatest golfer of all time is a joke now. Maybe he should just hang it up. When i saw his instructor on the range Tuesday, filming his swing with a phone, then Tiger looking it over. I knew it was over for this tournament. This isnt a swing problem, this is a mental problem. Maybe he should go see a shrink or someone he can clear his mind with
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:04 am
By the end of the year he will be #300th in the world.
Chris
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:20 am
After you win like 15-20 PGA Tour events, you have your tour card for life. Very important rules you know nothing about
JR
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:51 am
Its players that have been on the PGA Tour for 15yrs and have at least 20 wins.
Other players with lifetime exemptions are Vijay Singh, Davis Love III and Tom Watson.
Tiger is not going way unless he just hangs ’em up…
Steve
Jun 19, 2015 at 10:36 am
Very important to who? You, me or Tiger? They dont apply to me and i am quessing you also.
Golf Pro
Jun 19, 2015 at 1:11 pm
He cant lose his card. You clearly know nothing about golf.
Steve
Jun 19, 2015 at 2:10 pm
I know that is important. I think i will play better knowing this. You seem alittle unloved, tell your boyfriend to clean your balls and shaft.
Greg V
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:01 am
He’ll be 40 in December. Many champion golfers have been able to play well in their early 40’s, but Tiger Woods has one thing going against him: the body building. All the upper body work has really caught up with his golf swing; as he nears the end of the back swing, he seems insistent to get the swing over with. The insistence is probably a result of the excess muscle, and the lack of confidence. But Tiger can’t help himself – the lunge from the top is killing him.
To my eye, that is the difference between his driving range swing and the one that catches up with him on the golf course – the rhythm and tempo are absent on the course as he tries to overpower his shots.
If he completely changes his approach to working out, and changes his approach on the course, he can play fine golf again. If I were his conditioning coach, I would get him on a fat time bike for 40 minutes a day for conditioning, and I wouldn’t let him near a weight machine. If I were his caddy, I would make him take an extra club and hit the ball softer.
Tom
Jun 19, 2015 at 8:55 am
Lets kick a man when he s down …feel better now?
other paul
Jun 19, 2015 at 8:46 am
How long until he loses his tour card? Anyone know?
Jon
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:38 am
He has a lifetime membership, so does Phil.
Jon
Jun 19, 2015 at 10:03 am
He has a lifetime membership, so does Phil. As for the Majors, he has a lifetime qualification for The Masters and the PGA Championship and exempt for The Open Championship until he is 60. After 2018 TW’s 10 year exemption will expire and he will have to qualify for the US Open.
Matto
Jun 19, 2015 at 8:05 am
Stop dipping your head so much, and stop trying to swing so godamn hard.
Done.
MartyMoose09
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:01 am
This. Looks like he’s trying to keep up with the young guys and swinging out of his shoes which throws off his balance.
Golf Pro
Jun 19, 2015 at 1:14 pm
His head dip is only 1/3 of Bubba Watson. And Bubba has no issue. Next..
Patricknorm
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:48 am
To Bobby Reyes, time to move on. How Tiger did 2 years ago doesn’t matter anymore. He’s had his back surgically repaired. Clearly there’s a disconnect between his brain and his body under pressure. Right now, Tiger is embarrassing himself in a pathetic manner. So much hatred spewing for Zack. Sometimes the truth hurts or in your case it’s a character debasement. Tiger is many moons away from contending in a major. Sad but true. Go gently Bobby. Quit beating yourself up.
dapadre
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:43 am
This is so typical of a Chinese adage:
There was a man who undertook a journey. About a quarter into the journey people asked where he was going he mentioned the name of the destination but they told him he was going the wrong way. The man told them to mind their business and even belittled them and traveled on. Further during his journey same thing, sir you are going the wrong way, same reaction. On getting to the gates of the city, the gatekeeper of the town asked whom or where he was going to meet in the city. When the man answered the gatekeeper said, Sir you are totally off course. Where you should have gone is the other direction. The man now realizing his mistake asked how do I get there? The gatekeeper said YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE EXACT SAME ROAD BACKWARDS.
The man has two options. Pretend he didnt hear the gatekeeper and enter the city NEVER reaching his destination OR, Swallow his pride go backwards, take and accept that those he met down the road may laugh and say a I TOLD YOU SO, but at least now he will reach his DESTINATION. We all know which is the wisest to do, but many dont do it.
steven
Jun 19, 2015 at 4:40 am
problem is…he is striping it on the range…but can’t take it to the course. too much adrenaline…
dapadre
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:45 am
The driving range is NO true test of a course.
Mo
Jun 21, 2015 at 11:45 pm
So true. I see lots of guys bombing it on the range, then see them later in the bush looking for a ball.
Jake Anderson
Jun 19, 2015 at 4:38 am
Woods is not a good golfer anymore. His swing is lost and he should retire.
adam
Jun 19, 2015 at 7:57 am
Is that what happens when you lose a swing? You just up and quit? The guys 40. He needs a sabbatical and quit being so technical with his swing.
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:36 pm
He needs to get his sponsors to pay Butch $5 million to take him back and $4 million to Steve Williams to get him back. My friend is a big Tiger fan and he is blubbering like a baby. He said “I never thought Tiger would be a big loser!”
Only Butch and Stevie can save Tiger now. Without Stevie – Tiger is a nobody.
The dude
Jun 19, 2015 at 4:13 am
Great article Zak! Don’t listen to these wanna be losers ripping the story. Now move on jabronies !!
S
Jun 19, 2015 at 2:33 am
Pga tour items
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121681854614
wendell
Jun 19, 2015 at 2:12 am
i hate to say this however this seems like a trolling article if i ever read one. I mean why wasn’t this article about why we shouldn’t be expecting great things from Ben Crenshaw at the Masters?
James Foster
Jun 19, 2015 at 12:40 am
Why can’t Woods just call up Butch Harmon and tell him that he needs help? Or what about David Leadbetter? Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Nick Price. Not a bad CV.
dapadre
Jun 19, 2015 at 5:34 am
One word: PRIDE. You and I and even Tiger know that Butch would have that swing back in no time. Tiger is trying to ingrate a swing that is clashing with his other swing thoughts.
Rogue Golf
Jun 19, 2015 at 6:46 am
I worked closely with Butch for a couple of days on his instructional movie a few years ago as of then he said there was no way he would ever teach Tiger again. Tiger insulted him personally in some way, he wouldn’t elaborate but he was open enough to tell me it would never happen, now that was a few years ago and time heals mostly everything but this was nearly a decade since they had parted ways.
As far as Tiger’s swing goes he is definitely on the right track, he’s getting stuck just like he used to, the club is late his lines are good, he just doesn’t trust it and the only thing that will fix that is more practice. Give the guy some time I know he wants to break Jack’s record but we have to be realistic, put in the time and not worry about the record good things will come.
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:03 am
Tiger could get the money from sponsors like that big shoe company. Pay Butch $5 million a year and Stevie Williams $4 million a year. It has to help. It would sure be better than being a disgrace and a joke.
Matt
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:05 pm
There is a 0% chance that Butch will ever teach Tiger. Everyone knows about Tiger’s pride so I don’t think he would ever initiate that discussion. More importantly, if you’re Butch Harmon, why would you even want to go back to Tiger? Every jabroni with a keyboard thinks he’s a magical savior who can swoop in and get Tiger back to his dominant ways again. So it’s better to leave everyone thinking thinking that than actually try and end up tarnishing your legacy. Also, it’s not like he’s hurting for students to teach so he doesn’t need the project or probably the money either.
Adam
Jun 19, 2015 at 12:23 am
3 wins in 2012, 5 wins in 2013 with 8 top tens in 16 events played. He finished top 20 in the Masters this year.
He still has the ability to compete, he’s just not doing it. This is the same conversation as in 2009 and he came back then. He’s a little older so I don’t expect he’ll be in the top world rankings anymore but he’s not done.
Dude
Jun 19, 2015 at 12:23 am
Such positivity on this forum.
stu
Jun 19, 2015 at 7:15 am
Tiger is doing great. His swing is coming around. He just has to stick with it! LOL. Feel better?
Pat M
Jun 19, 2015 at 12:13 am
He is 200th in the world and possibly even higher. Maybe golf should focus on players playing good golf versus hackers. It’s over.
cb
Jun 19, 2015 at 3:53 am
Pat M, remember golf is a about traditions and respect. Golf focuses on Tiger because without Tiger golf wouldn’t be where it is today. Ask the young guns who they watched and wanted to be like. They all say Tiger. Oh and the 14 majors and 79 pga tour wins has earned him some respect. Also, a hacker couldn’t finish in the top 20 at the masters.