PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Tiger Woods doesn’t have particularly fond memories of Oak Hill.
In 2003, when the PGA was last held here, he shot 12-over 292 (74-72-73-73) in what is his second-highest 72-hole total in a major. (Only this year’s U.S. Open, where he shot 13 over, is higher.) The tie for 39th was his second-worst performance in 15 career PGA starts.
Even after finishing 16 shots behind surprise winner Shaun Micheel that week, Woods said, “It’s the hardest, fairest golf course we’ve ever played.”
High praise – and he apparently still feels that way.
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“I liked it when I played here in ’03,” Woods said. “I think it’s a fantastic golf course. It’s tough. It’s right in front of you. Really, no surprises out there. You just have to play well. This is one of those courses where you’ve just got to bring it, ball-striking-wise. You’ve got to hit the ball well.”
Woods said the East Course is playing faster than it did in ’03, which means it’ll likely play shorter than its 7,163 yards on the card.
“How I’m going to attack is I’m just going to play to my little sections and go from there,” said Woods, who added that he’ll likely hit between two and five drivers each round.