Xander Schauffele Challenges Colin Montgomerie’s Call for Tiger Woods to Retire

Xander Schauffele Challenges Colin Montgomerie’s Call for Tiger Woods to Retire

In a candid response to Colin Montgomerie’s suggestion that Tiger Woods should retire, Xander Schauffele has voiced strong support for the golfing legend. Schauffele, a top contender at The Open, made his feelings clear even before Woods began his round at Royal Troon.

 

Fifteen-time major champion Woods, 48, struggled at Royal Troon, recording a 36-hole score of 14-over-par, which led to his early exit. Despite this, Schauffele dismissed Montgomerie’s assertion that it’s time for Woods to step away from professional golf.

 

Montgomerie, 61, faced backlash for his comments in The Times, where he expressed concern over Woods’ current form: “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him. 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.”

 

Montgomerie’s doubts didn’t stop there. He suggested Woods should have retired by now, but Schauffele couldn’t disagree more. The Olympic gold medalist expressed his hope that Woods continues to play for as long as he feels capable.

 

“Whether it’s his honest opinion or not, the game of golf needs him [Woods], needs him desperately,” said the 2024 PGA Championship winner. “Selfishly, I want him to play as long as possible. It just helps all of the guys out here, just with the amount of eyeballs that someone like Tiger Woods brings to golf.”

 

Woods, who has faced significant injuries from a life-threatening car crash, responded to Montgomerie’s remarks with his characteristic determination. He pointed out that Montgomerie, unlike himself, never won a major, making his opinion on retirement irrelevant.

 

“Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60,” said Woods ahead of The Open. “Colin’s not. He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do. So, when I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he doesn’t.”

 

Despite his poor performance in Scotland, Woods has no plans to retire soon. Schauffele, 30, was pleased to hear that Woods’ passion for the game remains strong.

 

Montgomerie later clarified that his comments were taken out of context and wished Woods success in his quest for a fourth Open title.

 

While Woods’ on-course activity has decreased, his influence on golf remains substantial. He has been a pivotal figure in supporting the PGA Tour against the rise of LIV Golf, demonstrating the kind of leadership that will ensure his lasting impact on the sport long after his competitive days are over.