Golf Fans Rally Behind Tiger Woods with a Resounding Message at The Open
“Prove Monty wrong!” resounded across the first tee at Royal Troon as the legendary Tiger Woods commenced his initial round at The Open Championship. The 15-time major winner and 82-time PGA Tour champion faced the crowd with determination yesterday, marking only his fifth tournament appearance this year.
Despite persistent fitness challenges, Woods remains a figure of intense public interest. Before the championship, his future was hotly debated after Colin Montgomerie suggested that it might be time for Woods to retire. Montgomerie, speaking to The Times, reflected on Woods’ illustrious past, saying, “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?’.”
Montgomerie further referenced Woods’ own words about retiring when he could no longer compete, adding, “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.”
However, as Woods teed off at Royal Troon, the support from spectators was palpable. The 48-year-old drew a substantial crowd, clearly demonstrating that fans still relish watching the iconic athlete compete at the highest level.
Addressing Montgomerie’s comments during his pre-championship press conference, Woods did not shy away. He highlighted his right to compete as a past champion, contrasting his situation with Montgomerie’s. “Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not. He is 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,” Woods remarked bluntly.
Adding to the chorus of support, Rickie Fowler, a close friend of Woods, also shared his perspective on Tuesday. Fowler insisted that Woods, a three-time Open champion, still has much to contribute to the sport. “He still has plenty of good golf in him,” Fowler told Mirror Sport. “The game is better when we have him around… I love being able to have Tiger [here]. He has been trying to continue to make sure he is ready to go, playing the majors and then hopefully a few other events on top of that… I would love to see him continue to stay healthy so he can play a select group of events throughout the years.”
As Tiger Woods embarks on this latest chapter of his career, the message from fans and fellow players is unequivocal: they are not ready to say goodbye to this golfing legend.
