Tiger Woods Returns to US Open, Shoots Inconsistent Opening-Round 74 at Pinehurst No. 2

Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament in Pinehurst, N.C., on June 13, 2024. George Walker IV/AP Photo

PINEHURST, N.C.—Tiger Woods started off the US Open with a birdie on Thursday, putting him into the red and atop the leaderboard, and turning back the clock 25 years to when a phenom still on the rise first played the national championship at Pinehurst No. 2.

The next 17 holes contrasted the player he once was with the player he is now.