U.S. Open 2026: An old Tiger Woods gaffe highlights just how important Cameron Young's opening par save was

You cannot win the U.S. Open at Shinnecock on the first hole on Thursday, but you can absolutely lose it. Just ask Tiger Woods.

Let’s take you back to 2018, when, believe it or not, the Tiger optimism was at an all-time high. After missing the entire 2016-’17 season due to another back surgery, Woods returned in good health and began making golf fans believe with a T-2 at the Valspar Championship, a T-5 at Bay Hill and a T-11 at the Players. Coming into the U.S. Open, he was expected to contend for a 15th career major, 10 years after winning his last – the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

That dream died before he reached the second tee, unfortunately. Woods, who split the fairway with his drive at the opening hole, sailed the green with his approach, leaving him with one of the most difficult around-the-green shots on the entire property:

Woods opened up the face and hit a mega flop, only for it to land just on the back edge of the green and roll off. It held up in the short grass, allowing him to attempt to putt it up the severe slope. His fourth shot suffered a similar fate:

After sitting pretty in the middle of the fairway off the tee, Woods went on to make a triple. He shot 78 in the opening round and went on to miss the cut. 

Young, one of this week’s favorites, had a nearly identical start eight years later. After finding the left side of the fairway, he went flag-hunting from 141 yards. His approach took a massive first bounce and wound up in a very similar spot to Woods’ second in 2018:

U.S. Open 2026: An old Tiger

Like Woods, Young opted for the mega flop, which could very well have ended distrastously. But Young pulled off a masterpiece:

Just an incredible recovery, and Young was able to save par – and possible save his week. Not to be hyperbolic, but that could prove to be one of the most important shots he hits all week. 

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