Tiger Woods ‘blessed’ to have chance at victory in The Open

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland – Sam and Charlie Woods were waiting for their father behind Carnoustie’s 18th green. He wanted to give them a trophy. They wanted to give him a hug.   Only one got their wish.   Tiger Woods briefly was the solo leader on Sunday of The Open Championship, but he couldn’t hang on long enough to hand his children the Claret Jug.   “I told them I tried and I said, ‘Hopefully you’re proud of your pops for trying as hard as I did,’� Woods said. “It’s pretty emotional because they gave me some pretty significant hugs there and squeezed.�   He looked like the trophy-hoisting Tiger of old when he violently extricated a short-iron shot from a fairway bunker on the 10th. Then he struggled to find fairways and couldn’t keep pace with Francesco Molinari, the unflappable Italian with the tempo of a metronome.   Woods shot 71 on Sunday, including a back-nine 37, to finish in a three-way tie for sixth at 5-under 279 (71-71-66-71). He finished three shots behind Molinari and one back of the four players who tied for second: Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele.    Anything less than a victory used to be unacceptable to Woods, but spending so much time bedridden and unable to swing a club has a way of changing one’s perspective. After leaving Carnoustie, he anticipated a phone call from friend Serena Williams, who also had a close call after a recent return from a lengthy absence. The 23-time major winner finished runner-up last week at Wimbledon after giving birth to her first child late last year.   “I know that it’s going to sting for a little bit here but given where I was to where I’m at now, (I’m) blessed,� Woods said. I know that it’s going to sting for a little bit here but given where I was to where I’m at now, (I’m) blessed. A return to Akron, Ohio, is a consolation. Woods moved into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, which qualified him for the final World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone. He has won the event eight times.   Woods also moved from 50th to 43rd in the FedExCup. The most important number for Woods is ‘15’, though. There’s only so many years remaining for a 42-year-old with a surgically-repaired back. “Today was a day that I had a great opportunity,� Woods said.   He started Sunday four shots behind the trio of leaders, a deficit that offered no margin for error, but his inability to close it out still reminded us that winning majors is more difficult than he once made it seem. McIlroy said that even 14-time major winners need to re-learn how to win golf’s biggest trophies. It’s been five years since Woods’ last win and a decade since he won a major.   “The Tiger we have to face, he does things that maybe he didn’t do (before),� McIlroy said. “But it’s still great to have him back. It’s still great for golf. It will be interesting to see going forward, but this was his first taste of major championship drama for quite a while. Even though he’s won 14, you have to learn how to get back.�   Woods arrived at all three of this year’s majors with high hopes after promising finishes. There were the close calls in Florida before the Masters, but he couldn’t break par at Augusta National until Sunday. Then he flirted with contention at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide but missed the cut at Shinnecock Hills.   Woods played Sunday alongside a man who was flawless in his pursuit of the Claret Jug. A few weeks ago, Woods handed Molinari the trophy at the Quicken Loans National. Molinari won that event by eight shots as part of an incredible recent run. He has three wins and two runners-up in his past six worldwide starts. Molinari’s 69 was the only bogey-free round on the final day at Carnoustie.   But while Molinari was making nine pars on the front nine, Woods was making an early move. Carnoustie’s first few holes are supposed to offer a warm welcome before its brutal finish, but several of them played into the wind Sunday. Woods made two birdies and no bogeys over the first seven holes. The other nine players who teed off in Sunday’s final five groups were a combined 17 over par on that stretch.   Woods nearly reached the green in two on the par-5 sixth hole that still bears Ben Hogan’s name. He almost holed the eagle putt from across the green before making birdie. After Spieth doubled that same hole and Schauffele made a 6, Woods was tied for the lead.   Schauffele made a double on the next hole after getting tangled in the rough, and all of a sudden Woods was alone atop the leaderboard.   Sitting atop the leaderboard felt familiar, Woods said. He saved par from greenside bunkers on Nos. 8 and 9 to make the turn in 2-under 34. He struggled off the tee after the turn, though.   Missing the 10th fairway gave him the opportunity to execute an exciting shot that harkened back to his best days. With his ball sitting near the vertical sod face of a fairway bunker, Woods took a violent swing to lift the ball vertically, but with enough strength to advance it to the green.    “Either I hit that shot and it clears the burn, or I hit it right next to my feet,� he said. “I’ve got to try and pull it off.�   It was a stroke that made Woods look almost unbeatable, but his dreams quickly ended.   He made double-bogey on the 11th after needing four shots to reach the green. His approach from the fairway hit a fan left of the green, and his first pitch shot didn’t reach the putting surface. Another missed fairway led to bogey on the 12th hole.   He had to scramble to make birdie on the day’s easiest hole, the short par-5 14th hole, but his 20-foot birdie putt kept his chances alive. He parred the final three holes, missing a 6-foot putt on the final hole that would have given him his seventh runner-up in a major.   He said it felt like old times. For the game’s newest stars, it was their first opportunity to face in a major the man they saw in video games and highlight reels. The combined age of Schauffele and Jordan Spieth, the two players in Sunday’s final group, wasn’t much more than Woods’. Schauffele is 25. Spieth will celebrate his 25th birthday next week.   Woods, 42, was in Sunday’s third-to-last group. He thought he would have to reach 9 under par to have a chance, but the leaderboard bunched up as the leaders struggled. There was once a six-way tie for the lead. Schauffele called it “chaotic.�   The San Diego native who saw Woods’ last major win was now being chased by him in the game’s oldest championship. Schauffele was standing near Torrey Pines’ 18th green when Woods holed that 12-footer to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate.   “It was a little bit louder probably when he did that than today was,� Schauffele said.   But it was close.

Click here to read the full article

Before cashing a bonus, make sure to understand the wagering requirements! Our partner Hypercasinos.com has written an extensive guide on why online casinos have wagering requirements which will help you on your way.
2nd Round 3 Balls – D. Ravetto / A. Sandhu / P. Figueiredo
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
David Ravetto+110
Ajeetesh Sandhu+185
Pedro Figueiredo+275
2nd Round 3 Balls – S. Baisoya / D. Lawson / R. Gouveia
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Ricardo Gouveia+155
Deyen Lawson+185
Sachin Baisoya+185
2nd Round 3 Balls – R. Khan / D. Van Tonder / Y. Sandhu
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Daniel Van Tonder+120
Rashid Khan+180
Yuvraj Sandhu+250
2nd Round 3 Balls – E. Kofstad / L. Scalise / J. Weon Ko
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Jeong Weon Ko+130
Lorenzo Scalise+150
Espen Kofstad+280
2nd Round Match-Up – S. Bairstow v A Fitzpatrick
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Alex Fitzpatrick-130
Sam Bairstow+110
2nd Round Match-Up – J. Luiten v R. Cabrera Bello
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Joost Luiten-175
Rafa Cabrera Bello+145
2nd Round 3 Balls – R. Cabrera Bello / A. Fitzpatrick / S. Kapur
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Alex Fitzpatrick-115
Rafa Cabrera Bello+180
Shiv Kapur+400
2nd Round Match-Up – J. Veerman v M. Kieffer
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Johannes Veerman-110
Maximillian Kieffer-110
2nd Round Match-Up – J. Morrison v T. Lewis
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
James Morrison-110
Tom Lewis-110
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Veerman / A. Hidalgo / J. Morrison
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Angel Hidalgo+150
Johannes Veerman+170
James Morrison+210
2nd Round Match-Up – M. Kawamura v A. Sullivan
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Andy Sullivan-120
Masahiro Kawamura+100
2nd Round 3 Balls – E. Ferguson / M. Kieffer / A. Sullivan
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Ewen Ferguson+125
Andy Sullivan+175
Maximilian Kieffer+250
2nd Round Match-Up – C. Jarvis v M. Penge
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Casey Jarvis-145
Marco Penge+120
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Penge / M. Kinhult / L. Nemecz
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Lukas Nemecz+165
Marco Penge+170
Marcus Kinhult+190
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Parry / D. Hillier / S. Bairstow
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Sam Bairstow+130
Daniel Hillier+180
John Parry+225
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Schneider / C. Jarvis / M. Schwab
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Matthias Schwab+150
Casey Jarvis+180
Marcel Schneider+190
2nd Round Match-Up – B. Stone v G. Migliozzi
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Guido Migliozzi-125
Brandon Stone+105
2nd Round Match-Up – S. Sharma v A. Otaegui
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Adrian Otaegui-120
Shubankar Sharma+100
2nd Round 3 Balls – R. Palmer / M. Kim / B. Taylor
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Michael Kim+135
Ryan Palmer+160
Ben Taylor+250
2nd Round 3 Balls – B. Cauley / D. Lipsky / R. Sloan
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Bud Cauley+145
Roger Sloan+180
David Lipsky+210
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Bramlett / D. Thompson / S. Gutschewski
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Davis Thompson+125
Joseph Bramlett+140
Scott Gutschewski+320
2nd Round 3 Balls – H. Norlander / J. Suh / C. Yuan
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Carl Yuan+160
Justin Suh+175
Henrik Norlander+190
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Trainer / V. Whaley / M. Schmid
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Matti Schmid+135
Vince Whaley+185
Martin Trainer+210
2nd Round 3 Balls – P. Kizzire / R. Moore / C. Tarren
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Ryan Moore+130
Patton Kizzire+180
Callum Tarren+225
2nd Round 3 Balls – D. Berger / J.B. Holmes / S. Stallings
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Scott Stallings+120
Daniel Berger+125
J B Holmes+400
2nd Round 3 Balls – W. Clark / T. Finau / S.W. Kim
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Wyndham Clark+135
Tony Finau+190
Si Woo Kim+200
2nd Round 3 Balls – V. Norrman / D. Riley / C. Ramey
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Vincent Norrman+160
Chad Ramey+180
Davis Riley+180
2nd Round 3 Balls – S. Theegala / J. Day / P. Harrington
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Sahith Theegala+110
Jason Day+140
Padraig Harrington+400
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Hughes / B. Horschel / T. Hoge
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Mackenzie Hughes+160
Tom Hoge+160
Billy Horschel+200
The Galleri Classic
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Steve Stricker+350
Steven Alker+650
Miguel Angel Jimenez+1100
Jerry Kelly+1200
Stephen Ames+1400
Ernie Els+1600
Alex Cejka+1800
Brian Gay+2000
KJ Choi+2500
Kevin Sutherland+2500
Click here for more…
1st Round 3-Balls – R. Pampling / D. Barron / S. Flesch
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN
Doug Barron+140
Rod Pampling+150
Steve Flesch+260
1st Round 3-Balls – R. Goosen / F. Couples / J. Leonard
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN
Retief Goosen+115
Justin Leonard+220
Fred Couples+230
1st Round 3-Balls – S. Stricker / D. Clarke / S. Alker
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN
Steve Stricker+105
Steven Alker+150
Darren Clarke+400
1st Round 3-Balls – D. Toms / M.A. Jimenez / J. Furyk
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN
Miguel Angel Jimenez-105
David Toms+180
Jim Furyk+350
1st Round 3-Balls – S. Ames / E. Els / T. Jaidee
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN
Stephen Ames+150
Ernie Els+160
Thongchai Jaidee+220
2nd Round 3 Balls – G. Higgo / R. Werenski / B. Burgoon
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Garrick Higgo+130
Bronson Burgoon+200
Richy Werenski+210
1st Round 3-Balls – J. Kelly / V. Singh / J. Durant
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN
Jerry Kelly+105
Vijay Singh+225
Joe Durant+240
2nd Round 3 Balls – T. Montgomery / H. Hall / R. Fox
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Taylor Montgomery+150
Ryan Fox+160
Harry Hall+225
2nd Round 3 Balls – A. Baddeley / J. Teater / D. Wu
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Dylan Wu+140
Aaron Baddeley+170
Josh Teater+230
2nd Round 3 Balls – C. Davis / C. Hadley / A. Rai
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Aaron Rai+130
Cam Davis+180
Chesson Hadley+225
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Hahn / J. Lower / S. Stevens
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Sam Stevens+150
Justin Lower+160
James Hahn+225
2nd Round 3 Balls – P. Malnati / S. Scheffler / W. Zalatoris
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler-160
Will Zalatoris+225
Peter Malnati+475
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Hardy / T. Moore / C. Reavie
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Taylor Moore+110
Nick Hardy+210
Chez Reavie+240
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Knapp / A. Bhatia / A. Svensson
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Akshay Bhatia+160
Jake Knapp+160
Adam Svensson+200
2nd Round 3 Balls – R. Brehm / K. Kisner / S. Cink
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Stewart Cink+105
Ryan Brehm+220
Kevin Kisner+240
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Dunlap / L. List / K.H. Lee
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
K H Lee+150
Luke List+160
Nick Dunlap+230
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Wallace / G. Woodland / B. Snedeker
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Matt Wallace+120
Gary Woodland+140
Brandt Snedeker+350
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Laird / A. Cook / M. NeSmith
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Matt NeSmith+150
Martin Laird+160
Austin Cook+220
2nd Round 3 Balls – K. Mitchell / D. Ghim / G. Sigg
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Keith Mitchell+140
Doug Ghim+170
Greyson Sigg+225
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Dahmen / L. Griffin / K. Chappell
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Joel Dahmen+110
Lanto Griffin+210
Kevin Chappell+240
2nd Round 3 Balls – B. Wu / T. Detry / A. Novak
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Andrew Novak+150
Thomas Detry+150
Brandon Wu+240
2nd Round 3 Balls – Parker Coody / Pierceson Coody / J. Bridgeman
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Parker Coody+140
Jacob Bridgeman+150
Pierceson Coody+260
2nd Round 3 Balls – D. Skinns / T. Whitney / S. Bennett
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
David Skinns+175
Sam Bennett+175
Tom Whitney+175
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Xiong / M. Greyserman / P. Fishburn
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Max Greyserman+135
Norman Xiong+185
Patrick Fishburn+210
2nd Round 3 Balls – T. Olesen / J. Highsmith / D. van der Walt
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Thorbjorn Olesen+110
Joe Highsmith+160
Dawie Van Der Walt+330
Major Specials 2024
Type: To Win A Major 2024 – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+125
Jon Rahm+225
Rory McIlroy+225
Viktor Hovland+225
Brooks Koepka+350
Ludvig Aberg+350
Patrick Cantlay+400
Collin Morikawa+450
Justin Thomas+450
Wyndham Clark+450
Click here for more…
The Masters 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+450
Rory McIlroy+1100
Jon Rahm+1200
Brooks Koepka+1800
Jordan Spieth+2000
Xander Schauffele+2000
Hideki Matsuyama+2500
Joaquin Niemann+2500
Justin Thomas+2500
Ludvig Aberg+2500
Click here for more…
PGA Championship 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+700
Jon Rahm+1000
Rory McIlroy+1000
Viktor Hovland+1400
Brooks Koepka+1600
Bryson DeChambeau+2000
Patrick Cantlay+2000
Wyndham Clark+2000
Xander Schauffele+2000
Cameron Smith+2500
Click here for more…
US Open 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+700
Rory McIlroy+800
Jon Rahm+900
Viktor Hovland+1000
Cameron Smith+1600
Brooks Koepka+1800
Cameron Young+2000
Collin Morikawa+2000
Ludvig Aberg+2000
Patrick Cantlay+2000
Click here for more…
The Open Championship 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+800
Jon Rahm+1000
Rory McIlroy+1000
Viktor Hovland+1100
Brooks Koepka+2000
Cameron Smith+2000
Cameron Young+2000
Collin Morikawa+2000
Jordan Spieth+2500
Ludvig Aberg+2500
Click here for more…
Solheim Cup 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
USA-140
Europe+135
Tie+1200
Ryder Cup 2025
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
USA-135
Europe+135
Tie+1000