British Open 2024: Tiger Woods arrives in Scotland, tours Royal Troon for the first time in 20 years
Tiger Woods’ Return to Royal Troon: A Comeback Decades in the Making
In a dramatic return to a storied venue, Tiger Woods arrived at Royal Troon on Sunday, gearing up for the British Open after an absence that has left fans eagerly awaiting his comeback. Despite missing the championship he has triumphed in three times over the past two decades, Woods is now setting his sights on the iconic course where he last competed in 2004.
Woods, a British Open victor in 2000, 2005, and 2006, has a rich history at Royal Troon. His last appearance at this venue saw him shoot 70-71-68-72, tying for ninth place, just seven shots shy of a playoff ultimately won by Todd Hamilton. Earlier in his career, he finished 24th at Troon in 1997. An injury kept him out of the 2016 Open, where Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson battled in a memorable final round.
Sunday’s practice round was a spectacle, with Woods and his caddie, Lance Bennett, traversing all 18 holes. The presence of hundreds of fans underscored the excitement surrounding his return. As Woods walked the course, a group featuring Jason Day and Tony Finau played ahead of him. His schedule is packed: a solo round on Monday, and practice with Max Homa and Justin Thomas on Tuesday, before addressing the media at 4 pm ET.
This year marks a significant milestone for Woods, as it’s the first time he’s competing in all four major championships in a single year since his triumphant 2019 Masters victory—his fifth green jacket and 15th major title. While the Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 British Open, Woods managed to play three majors that year.
Woods’ 2024 season has been a mix of resilience and challenges. He finished 60th at the Masters in April, making history with his 24th consecutive cut at Augusta National. However, he missed the cut in both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, and has only played nine competitive rounds this year.
As Woods prepares for the British Open at Royal Troon, the golf world watches with bated breath, hoping to witness another chapter in the legendary career of one of the sport’s greatest champions.
