Tiger Woods: US Open Collapse Leaves Little Optimism Towards Winning Future

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Tiger Woods: US Open Collapse Leaves Little Optimism Towards Winning Future
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Tiger Woods' failure to win the 2012 US Open isn't necessarily a surprise, but watching him collapse in the tournament's final round was tough.

Woods' play deteriorated over the final two days of the tournament, and the pressure seemed to be too much at tines.

Every avid golf fan has kept the hope of a comeback in mind for the golfing legend. He hasn't won a major since 2008, and he has only claimed victory in two tournaments since 2009.

If he had maintained his pace and just been outplayed, that would be one thing. But Woods didn't help matters at all. He shot a 75 in Round 3, and he only improved by two strokes in Round 4. 

I can't see him recovering from this. I'm not sure he would have either way. 

Let's see why.



That sounds vague, but it's that simple.

How do you recover from a crushing defeat? In Woods' case, you don't.

Imagine if you were him.

You've limped your way through off-course issues and multiple knee injuries for the last three years of your career.  You go to bed every night knowing your iconic status hangs in the balance with each tournament you take part in.

Now, you have a chance to finally return to prominence at the Olympic Club. You shoot a 69 and a 70 in the tournament's first two rounds, and you're back, right?

Woods' collapse in the tournament's final days couldn't have been easy for him to take, and it was equally tough to watch. At times, he seemed to be playing like his old self, but then the demons from the last three years shone through.

He finally seemed to have his swing and his poise back and appeared ready to make one of his famous charges. But that didn't happen.

Instead, he left another tournament empty-handed.


Where Does He Go From Here?

Well, for starters Woods will play in the British Open, barring some freak incident. He has won the tournament three times, but he hasn't won it since 2006.

As usual, expectations will be high. An American player hasn't won since Stewart Cink in 2009.

Woods will need to bring his best game if he wants to win this tournament, or any others for that matter. He clearly isn't the golfer that he once was, and who can really blame him?

He has been through trials and tribulations, and he has already accomplished more than most golfers ever will.

It's tough to leave his comeback hopes for dead, but I fear we have reached that point.

After his collapse in the final two rounds this weekend, I don't see any reason to think differently.

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