Tiger Woods firmly dismissed the notion of retirement on Tuesday, specifically addressing comments from European golf legend Colin Montgomerie suggesting that Woods should consider stepping away from competitive golf.
During a press conference ahead of the British Open at Royal Troon, Woods touched on several topics, including his current game, health status, and future plans in golf.
One notable question concerned Montgomerie’s recent remarks. Montgomerie was quoted in The Times of London, stating, “There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go. Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”
Woods, making his 23rd appearance at the Open and his first since 2022, responded assertively. Last year, he missed the cut at St. Andrews and was unable to play due to ankle surgery following the Masters.
“Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not,” Woods remarked. “He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do.”
Woods added, “I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event.”
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The 15-time major champion, who claimed the Open titles in 2000, 2005, and 2006, expressed his affection for Royal Troon. Having played two 18-hole practice rounds this week, he reminisced about his previous appearances at the course. His last outing at Royal Troon was in 2004, where he tied for ninth, and his debut there was in 1997. He missed the 2016 Open due to back issues.
“I’ve always loved playing here,” Woods said. “I’ve only played here twice. I played in ’97 and in ’04. I loved them both. I got a chance to play with Tom Weiskopf in his last practice round. That was neat for him to take me back to some of his holes and how he played them, and I obviously gave him some stick, and he’s giving me stick, like we always do. We had a wonderful time playing just a wonderful practice round.”
Woods referred to Weiskopf, who was posthumously inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame last month and won the Open at Troon in 1973.
Woods acknowledged that the unique links style of Open venues offers opportunities that are less prevalent at other courses.
“I think the older you get, the less you can carry the golf ball,” Woods said. “But over here, you can run the golf ball 100 yards if you get the right wind and the right trajectory. It negates somewhat of the high-launch conditions that most of the times you see on the Tour.
“Here it’s a little bit different. You can play on the ground. You can burn it on the ground with a 1-iron, 2-iron, 3-wood, whatever, even drivers, and just flight it and get a bunch of run. I think that’s one of the reasons why you see older champions up there on the board because they’re not forced to have to carry the ball 320 yards anymore.”
Woods has struggled with a lack of competitive play this year. After making the cut at the Masters and setting a record with his 24th consecutive cut, he finished last among those who played the weekend and subsequently missed the cut at both the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open. So far in 2024, he has only played nine competitive rounds of golf.
“I’ve been training a lot better,” Woods said. “We’ve been busting it pretty hard in the gym, which has been good. Body’s been feeling better to be able to do such things, and it translates on being able to hit the ball better. Can’t quite stay out there during a practice session as long as I’d like, but I’m able to do some things that I haven’t done all year, which is nice.”
What has troubled Woods the most throughout the year is his lack of sharpness. Although he hits the ball well off the tee, he struggles with hitting enough greens and his short game has not been saving him.
“I’d like to tighten up my short game just a little bit,” Woods admitted. “I hadn’t seen anything this firm at home. Hot Florida, Bermuda grass is not quite like this. I need to get some more reps chipping around this fescue and how fast my blade is going through the ground. It’s going through pretty quickly. So I’ve got to get a little bit of work done today and tomorrow and be ready come Thursday.”
