Tiger Woods Faces Calls for Retirement as The Open Approaches

Tiger Woods Faces Calls for Retirement as The Open Approaches

As the 15-time major champion Tiger Woods gears up for The Open Championship next week, he faces a blunt call for retirement from Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie. “What the hell is he doing?” Montgomerie asks, reflecting the sentiments of many who have watched Woods struggle through recent tournaments.

 

Despite being plagued by injuries, Woods remains determined to compete in the majors, hoping for one last victory before the end of his illustrious career. However, Montgomerie, a seasoned golfer himself, finds it increasingly difficult to watch the 48-year-old Woods in action.

 

Woods’ participation in only four events this year highlights his ongoing battle with fitness. He withdrew from The Genesis Invitational in February due to flu, finished 60th at The Masters, and missed the cuts at both the PGA Championship and the US Open. These performances suggest that the 82-time PGA Tour winner is a shadow of his former self.

 

Montgomerie was particularly disheartened by Woods’ performance at Pinehurst No. 2 last month. The event, one of the most challenging US Opens in recent history, saw Woods struggle significantly. Montgomerie fears a repeat at Royal Troon next week when the 152nd Open gets underway and urges Woods to retire.

 

“I hope people remember Tiger as he was, with the passion and 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.”

 

Montgomerie, 61, understands the difficulty of walking away from the game. Despite being one of the best players never to win a major – with five agonizing runner-up finishes – he has found some solace in winning three senior major championships. Yet, he remains realistic about the need for Woods to retire.

 

“Are we there yet? I’d have thought we were past there,” Montgomerie said. “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.”

 

Woods has been battling injuries for many years, further complicated by a high-speed car crash in 2021 that led to reconstructive ankle surgery. While the surgery reduced his pain, it also compromised his mobility. This has created a vicious cycle of inadequate tournament preparation due to fitness issues, resulting in performances unworthy of his legendary status.

 

Following his missed cut at Pinehurst, Woods hinted at the possibility of retirement. “As far as my last Open Championship or US Open Championship, I don’t know what that is. It may or may not be,” he admitted.

 

Despite his competitive spirit and willingness to push through the pain, Woods’ appearances on the biggest stages of golf may soon be coming to an end. The game could soon lose arguably its greatest ever player.