Tiger Woods was looking to attack again at his favorite pitch in St Andrews. But after two days, the golf superstar ends at the 150. British Open. In the end, emotions get the best of him.
As Tiger Woods perhaps for the last time on the time-honoured Old course in St Andrews ran to the 18th green and the fans in the stands rose and gave thunderous applause, the visibly moved golf superstar hid his face behind his hands.
“Had Tears in My Eyes”
“I had a few tears in my eyes and I’m not someone who bursts into tears very often over anything”Woods said. “It was very emotional for me because I just don’t know what’s going to happen with my health.”
After his comeback, the 46-year-old Californian wanted to continue attacking at his favorite spot on the east coast of Scotland. But after just two days, the crowd’s favorite failed at the cut and was eliminated early from the 150th British Open.
Moderate 75 round
In contrast to the weak opening round of 78, the US star was able to improve slightly, but even on Friday it was only enough for a moderate round of 75 in the fourth and last majortournament of the year. The 15-time major winner birdied just one on day two of the tournament’s anniversary edition, but afforded two easy shot losses and a double bogey. This put Woods nine strokes over par and in 150th place for the time being. He had absolutely nothing to do with the fight for the $2.5 million winner’s check on the par-72 course.
“I’m a bit annoyed that I won’t be able to play this weekend. I wish I had played better. I fought hard”said Woods, for whom the way back to the top of the world is much more difficult than he had hoped.
Serious car accident in February 2021
For the three-time British Open winner, the $14 million event in the self-proclaimed “Home of Golf” only the third PGA tournament since his serious car accident in February 2021, in which he broke his right leg several times. After his comeback at the Masters in April, he had to play for the first time in his professional career at the PGA Championship in Tulsa in May Giving up his career at a major tournament because of the severe pain in his leg, he then skipped the US Open in June.
Consequences of the accident still visible
But even in the rough dune landscape of the oldest golf course in the world, the consequences of the serious accident could still be seen: Woods’ slight limp became more and more noticeable during the second round. Occasionally he narrowed his eyes.
It may have been the last appearance on his favorite course – the venues of the British Open rotate annually. “I feel fit enough to play more British Opens. But I don’t know if I’ll play long enough to come back here again”, said Woods, who first played the Open at St Andrews as an amateur in 1995. He later won two (2000, 2005) of his three British Open titles there (also in 2006).
Despite all the adversities: the former world number one is not yet thinking about ending his career. “I won’t quit the game”Woods explained, but at the same time announced a break: “I have nothing, nothing planned. Zero. Maybe something next year. I don’t know. But nothing in the near future.”