Golf fans all say the same thing after hearing Mark Roe talk about Tiger Woods during the first round of The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Outrage Over Commentator’s Shocking Remarks About Tiger Woods at The Open

In a surprising turn of events at the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, commentator Mark Roe sparked controversy with his comments about Tiger Woods during the first round. Roe, providing coverage for the featured groups, made a contentious statement regarding Woods’ appearance as he played the par-5 4th hole alongside Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.

 

Roe remarked that after observing Woods’ eyes, he suspected the golf legend was ‘on a lot of painkillers.’ This comment has drawn significant backlash from golf fans and pundits alike.

 

Competing in only his fifth tournament of the year, the 48-year-old Woods has faced a limited playing schedule in 2024 due to ankle surgery last year, which followed a near-fatal car crash in Los Angeles two years ago. Woods’ persistent health struggles, including multiple back surgeries, have been well-documented, making his 2019 Masters victory all the more remarkable.

 

However, Roe’s on-air speculation about Woods’ use of painkillers during the first round has left many golf fans dismayed. Social media was abuzz with reactions, with numerous fans branding Roe’s comments as ‘unprofessional’ and ‘inappropriate.’

 

One fan tweeted, “An absolute crazy thing to say on air,” while another added, “Speculating on medical care is not his job.” The consensus among fans was that such comments were out of line and showed a lack of respect for Woods’ privacy and professionalism.

 

Despite the controversy, Woods continued his first round, starting strong with a birdie at the 3rd hole. However, he faced difficulties soon after, with a bogey at the 4th, a double bogey at the 5th, and additional bogeys at the 7th and 8th, resulting in a 4-over 40 by the turn. The current lead in the tournament stands at 3-under par.

 

Earlier in the week, Woods addressed suggestions from Colin Montgomerie that he should consider retiring from professional golf.

 

Who is Mark Roe? At 61, Roe is a former European Tour professional golfer best remembered for a scorecard mishap during the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St George’s, which led to his disqualification. Now, Roe works as a short game coach and commentator for Sky Sports Golf.

 

As the tournament progresses, the golf world will be watching not just the players on the course, but also the conversations that happen off it. Roe’s controversial remarks about Woods have certainly set a precedent for the discussions to come.