Pinehurst, North Carolina – Tiger Woods faced yet another early exit from a major championship as his struggles continued at the U.S. Open. The golf legend posted a 3-over 73 on Friday, placing him at 7-over for the tournament, well outside the projected cut line at Pinehurst No. 2. This disappointing performance marks Woods’ failure to make the cut in six of the last eight major tournaments. Despite battling numerous injuries and off-course issues in recent years, Woods has been unable to secure a spot for the weekend at the U.S. Open since 2019, which remains his only successful cut at the event in the past decade.

Woods, despite showing promise with an early birdie on Friday, was unable to recover from a rough start on Thursday. Carding a 4-over 74 in the first round, Woods struggled to find his rhythm, making six bogeys and frequently finding himself out of position. The challenging course at Pinehurst No. 2 proved to be unforgiving, with Woods acknowledging the difficulty of making a comeback on such a demanding course with few opportunities for birdies.

Despite narrowly missing birdie opportunities down the stretch on Friday, Woods’ game began to unravel on the back nine. A series of unfortunate shots, including a drive into the trees at the 16th hole, led to his fourth bogey of the day, sealing his fate at 7-over and ending his week at the U.S. Open. Despite the disappointment, Woods confirmed his participation in the upcoming British Open, with plans to return to competition after that event.

In a post-round interview, Woods expressed frustration at his inability to make the cut, emphasizing the importance of being in contention to win a tournament. Reflecting on his performance at major championships, Woods remains uncertain about his future in such prestigious events. Meanwhile, other notable players like Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, and Phil Mickelson also struggled to make the cut at the U.S. Open, highlighting the challenges faced by top golfers in highly competitive fields.

The struggles of Woods and other elite golfers point to the fierce competition and unforgiving nature of major championships, where even the most skilled players can falter under pressure. As the tournament unfolds and the field narrows, spectators can expect more surprises and upsets as the quest for golfing excellence continues on the grand stage of the U.S. Open.