Superb US Open start delights patient Woods
US golfer Tiger Woods last night admitted he was surprised to have began the US Open so well, having made his best start to the tournament in a decade.
Woods was in joint-second place after posting a one under par 69 at San Francisco’s Olympic Club, three strokes behind the shock early clubhouse leader Michael Thompson, and was clearly happy with his form.
“I played well,” said Woods. “I felt like I had control of my game all day and stuck to my game plan. “We knew it [the course] was going to be quick, but we didn’t think it was going to happen overnight.
“I was really, really surprised how much it changed – it was just like they used sub-air on the whole place and you had to make adjustments.
“I was very pleased with every facet of my game and I stayed very patient.”
Woods’s confidence has returned but his form contrasts that of playing partner Phil Mickelson, who made his joint worst start in 22 US Open appearances.
“I didn’t play very well obviously,” said Mickelson. “I’ve got a tough challenge just to reach the weekend.”