Tiger Woods has shut down claims from a TV commentator that he needs painkillers to compete during The Open.
Tiger Woods Sets the Record Straight Amid Controversy at The Open
Tiger Woods has emphatically denied allegations made by a TV commentator suggesting he relies on painkillers to compete. The speculation arose following Woods’ challenging first round at The Open, where he shot a 79 at the Royal Troon course, placing him eight over par and in a precarious position to make the cut.
Despite the rocky start, Woods provided a candid yet hopeful assessment of his current form and future in the sport. Reflecting on his physical condition, he expressed a notable improvement since the beginning of the year.
“I’m physically feeling a lot better than I did at the beginning of the year,” Woods stated. “At the end of last year, it was tough and I haven’t played a whole lot but I think that, as the year has gone on, I have gotten better. I just wish I could have played a little bit more but I’ve been saving it for the Majors just in case I do something pretty major and then take myself out of it. Hopefully next year will be a little bit better than this year.”
The 48-year-old, with 15 major championship victories including three The Open titles (2000, 2005, and 2006), acknowledged his struggles with injuries over recent years. These include a significant car accident in 2021 that resulted in a broken leg and ankle, just months after back surgery to remove a bone fragment. Additionally, he underwent ankle surgery in April last year to address post-traumatic arthritis.
Earlier in the day, former player and Sky Sports commentator Mark Roe ignited controversy by insinuating that Woods appeared to be medicated during play. Roe commented on-air, “You look at the eyes, you gotta think there’s a lot of painkillers being taken to cope with the pain.”
These remarks sparked immediate backlash from fans on social media platform X. One user responded, “An absolute crazy thing to say on air,” while another criticized, “Completely ridiculous and embarrassing to suggest this.”
Despite these distractions, Woods remains focused on his game. Determined to rebound, he expressed his intent to deliver a strong performance on the second day of the tournament.
“I didn’t do a whole lot of things right (on Thursday),” Woods admitted. “I made that putt on the 3rd hole and then I think I had three three-putts. I didn’t hit my irons very close and I didn’t give myself a whole lot of looks today. I need to shoot something in the mid-60s (on Friday) to get something going on the weekend.”
Woods began his second round just before 9:30, alongside playing partners Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, determined to climb back into contention.
With his eyes set on overcoming the odds, Tiger Woods remains a formidable presence on the course, ready to silence doubters and prove his resilience once again.
