Tiger’s new coach, ‘borderline’ greens

Welcome to GOLF.com’s “Seen & Heard” video series, in which we give you an inside look at golf’s biggest events through the eyes and ears of our onsite crew. On deck this week: the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Let’s go!

U.S. Open week has begun as the game’s best have trickled in to Pinehurst, North Carolina, to Pinehurst No. 2, for the first time since 2014.

The 2024 U.S. Open also coincides with the World Golf Hall of Fame moving to Pinehurst, so Monday night was a celebration for the induction of Padraig Harrington, Sandra Palmer, Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson, Tom Weiskopf and the final seven uninducted LPGA Founders.

By Tuesday, the GOLF.com team was up early for Tiger Woods’ (and Max Homa’s) practice round on the No. 2 course. Woods has his son Charlie out with him this week and Claire Rogers was eager to ask him about Charlie’s role.

“As far as his responsibilities, it’s the same,” Woods said. “I trust him with my swing and my game. He’s seen it more than anybody else in the world. He’s seen me hit more golf balls than anyone. I tell him what to look for, especially with putting. We have a great relationship and rapport like that, and it’s a wonderful experience for both of us.”

The talk of the golf course this week has centered on the firm and fast condition it’s in, as well as the No. 2 course’s famous “turtleback greens,” which repel any slightly wayward shots.

Sean Zak pointed out how those greens will make for some interesting short-game decisions this week.

“That’s where it gets difficult because you have little shots like these, that are like cute little shots, but it can be a 60-degree, it can be a 52-degree, that’s what this tournament is going to come down to,” Zak said. “The creativity players have in these spots is literally how Martin Kaymer dominated [in 2014].”

Players have already taken note.

“They are extremely fast,” said defending champion Wyndham Clark. “If they get any firmer and faster, the greens, I mean, they’d be borderline.

“They already are borderline.”

Viktor Hovland already had some choice words for some of the places you can find yourself around the greens if you’re not careful.

To catch up on all the GOLF team’s activities at Pinehurst, check out the full video below — and stay tuned for more Seen & Heard throughout the week.

Jack Hirsh

Golf.com Editor

Jack Hirsh is an assistant editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as head coach. Jack also still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.