Tiger Woods Faces New Challenges at The Open: Can He Defy the Odds Once More?

Tiger Woods Faces New Challenges at The Open: Can He Defy the Odds Once More?

Tiger Woods is set to return to action at The Open, stepping onto the historic greens of Royal Troon amidst swirling questions about his current form and long-term future in professional golf. The 15-time major champion, once the undisputed world No. 1, is gearing up to compete in all four majors of the calendar year for the first time since 2019, the year he last won The Masters. This return, however, comes after a series of injuries have disrupted his schedule in recent seasons.

Since his devastating car crash in February 2021, Woods has only completed 72 holes four times. His performance in the majors this season has been notably lackluster, finishing last among those who made the cut at The Masters and subsequently missing the cut at both the PGA Championship and the US Open. The 48-year-old hasn’t secured a top-10 finish since the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, prompting former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie to question why Woods hasn’t already retired from his storied career.

“I hope people remember Tiger as he was, with the passion and the charismatic aura around him,” Montgomerie told The Times. “There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he did not seem to enjoy a single shot, and you think, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ He’s coming to Troon, and he won’t enjoy it there either.”

When asked if Woods should retire, Montgomerie added, “Aren’t we there? I’d have thought we were past there. 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… these guys only know Tiger Woods missing the cut, and he’s better than that, the best we’ve ever seen.”

What Can We Expect from Woods at Royal Troon?

Woods played an 18-hole practice round on Sunday and returned to the course on Monday morning, partnering with Justin Thomas and Max Homa. The three-time Champion Golfer is scheduled to hold his pre-tournament press conference at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Despite the skepticism, Woods has consistently told the media that he believes he still has the game to compete against the world’s best, although former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart has his doubts.

“I’ve not seen any evidence lately that suggests that he can [contend], to be honest,” Coltart told Sky Sports News. “I think we’re still living in that romantic world where we think he’s competitive. It’s great that he thinks that.”

Coltart noted that the flat nature of the Royal Troon course might be less taxing on Woods’ body, but the challenging terrain of links golf could still pose significant physical demands. “But goodness me, when you factor in the state of his body, his age, and the talent that’s out there, there’s an awful lot of things that are just going against him.”

Woods’ Performance in Majors

Woods has a mixed history at Royal Troon, finishing tied-24th in 1997 and tied-9th in 2004, although he missed the 2016 contest due to injury. His last made cut at The Open was in 2018, where he briefly led on the final day before finishing tied-6th at Carnoustie.

 

This year at Augusta National, Woods made his 24th consecutive cut, but his performance deteriorated, posting scores of 73 and 72 before carding a 10-over 82 on Saturday, marking the worst round of his major career as a professional. He followed with a five-over 77 on the final day, his 100th tournament round at The Masters. His performances at the PGA Championship and US Open also saw over-par rounds and early exits, with his last major round in red figures dating back to the 2022 PGA Championship.

 

As Woods prepares for The Open, he faces additional challenges. The three-time Open champion prefers warm and dry conditions to mitigate his physical struggles, but the forecast for Scotland includes rain and strong breezes—conditions that could further complicate his bid for a triumphant return.

 

With all eyes on Royal Troon, the question remains: Can Tiger Woods defy the odds and silence the doubters once more?