Tiger Woods' U.S. Open Near-Misses

By Sam Weinman

June 08, 2016

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Photo By: AFP/Getty Images

Photo By: Getty Images

Photo By: AFP/Getty Images

Photo By: Getty Images

1999: Pinehurst No. 2

Two years after his landmark win in the Masters, Woods was still looking for a second major title and was beginning to see the fruits of a swing overhaul under Butch Harmon. Although he hadn't contended in his first two U.S. Opens as a pro, he found himself two shots behind leader Payne Stewart coming into the final round. After a birdie on the 16th hole pulled him within one of the lead, Woods was undone by missing two short putts late on Sunday. He ended up two shots behind Stewart and another shot behind Phil Mickelson to finish T-3. But don't feel too bad for him . . .

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2000: Pebble Beach

Woods recovered in a BIG way the next year. After capturing his second major at the 1999 PGA, he won his first U.S. Open by 15 (!) shots. In fact, Woods would rattle off four straight majors between that Open and the 2001 Masters, which fueled talk of a calendar Grand Slam. Which meant . . .

2001: Southern Hills

Woods faced incredible scrutiny heading into Southern Hills, but he never really got going. After opening with a 74, he played one under the rest of the way. But it was still only good enough for a T-12, seven shots out of the playoff between Retief Goosen and Mark Brooks. "I don't think people really understand how difficult it is on you to keep putting yourself there and the stress it puts on you coming down the back nine on Sunday with a chance to win," Woods said at the end of his major streak. "More times than not it wears you out."

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2002: Bethpage Black

However frustrated he was by coming up flat at Southern Hills, Woods answered the next year at the Black, outlasting Phil Mickelson by three shots to claim his second Open and eighth major title.

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2005: Pinehurst No. 2

Back to the site of his close call in 1999, Woods made another run six years later, and this time, he was chasing down an unheralded leader in New Zealand's Michael Campbell. Once within a shot of the lead in the final round, Woods' saw his opportunity slip away with bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes. He ended up losing by two.

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2007: Oakmont

Another U.S. Open, another golden chance for Woods to add to his major haul. Chasing Argentina's Angel Cabrera on Sunday, Woods moved into a share of the lead at the eighth hole, but couldn't hold it. He had a chance to tie Cabrera on the short, drivable par-4 17th, but his bunker shot skirted across the green and he had to settle for par. He lost by one, but could still afford a smile afterwards.

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2008: Torrey Pines

Alas, Woods recovered in a big way the next year, winning his third U.S. Open in a playoff over Rocco Mediate, all while contending with a broken leg. He would miss the rest of the year due to reconstructive surgery. Little did we know it could be the last major he won.

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2009: Bethpage Black

A second rain-plagued Open at the famed Long Island muny saw Woods rack up another top 10. This time, though, he was playing catch-up from the start. After a sluggish 74 in the opening round, Woods strung together three rounds in the 60s to close and made a brief rally with consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th holes in the final round. But a bogey on 15 stalled his momentum, and Woods finished T-6, four shots behind winner Lucas Glover.

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2010: Pebble Beach

Woods had only recently emerged from a self-imposed hiatus following his sex scandal, but a return to the site of his most dominant performance brought the promise of positive vibes. He indeed summoned some of the old magic by birdieing the final three holes on Saturday to shoot 66. But that was as close as he got, imploding to a 75 on Sunday to finish T-4.

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2012: Olympic Club

The 2012 season featured Woods' first wins after his sex scandal, and at Olympic Club through the first two days, he seemed poised to capture another major. After opening 69-70, Woods teed off Saturday with a share of the 36-hole lead. Again, though, he couldn't sustain it. He played the final two rounds in eight-over par, and finished a disappointing T-21.

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Tiger Woods' U.S. Open Near-Misses

Shop This Look

1999: Pinehurst No. 2

2000: Pebble Beach

2001: Southern Hills

2002: Bethpage Black

2005: Pinehurst No. 2

2007: Oakmont

2008: Torrey Pines

2009: Bethpage Black

2010: Pebble Beach

2012: Olympic Club