Tiger Woods struggled on the way to a plus-four 74 in Thursday's opening round of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst Course No. 2, and he opened up about some of the difficulties on the course.

"I wasn't as sharp as I needed to be," he said (40-second mark).

He also noted there is a "pick your poison" element of battling back from injuries and wanting to participate in major championships while avoiding the rust that comes with extended breaks (two-minute mark).

"I'm physically getting better as the year has gone on," Woods said. "I just haven't been able to play as much. I just don't want to hurt myself pre and then I won't be able to play in the major championships. It's pick your poison, right? Play a lot and have the potential of not playing. Or, not playing and fight being not as sharp."

This is the fourth time Woods has played in a tournament this year.

He withdrew after just one round from the Genesis Invitational in February, made the cut but finished in 60th place in April's Masters, and missed the cut in May's PGA Championship. The Masters was the highlight of his year to this point, as he set the record by making the cut at the sport's most famous tournament for the 24th time in a row.

That Woods said he is physically starting to feel better is a welcome sign, as he has struggled to finish tournaments since he suffered serious injuries in a February 2021 car accident.

He will have his work cut out for him to make the cut at the daunting Pinehurst No. 2 course, and it doesn't seem like he will be adding to his three career U.S. Open titles. But he is making progress physically as he works through some of the rust of not participating in non-major tournaments like he did at his peak.