Colin Montgomerie claimed Tiger Woods ought to have referred to as it quits at The Open Championship in July because it was the proper time for {the golfing} nice to bow out.
The Open returned to Woods’s favourite course, St. Andrews, the place he had received the occasion twice, and the golf legend took what is probably going his final stroll down the 18th on the Previous Course in entrance of an admiring crowd.
It was solely the 46-year-old’s third aggressive occasion this 12 months after making a sensational return on the Masters, simply 14 months on from his horrific automotive crash in 2021, and making the minimize on the PGA Championship.
Tiger Woods returned to St. Andrews in what was doubtless his closing occasion on the iconic course
Colin Montgomerie claimed the legend ought to have referred to as it quits at The Open in July
Nevertheless, Montgomerie believes the one hundred and fiftieth Open ought to haven’t solely been Woods’s third occasion of this 12 months however the closing of his profession.
Woods’s former rival claimed it was the proper second for the 15-time main champion to convey the curtain down on his glittering profession.
‘That was the time,’ Montgomerie instructed golf web site Bunkered. ‘Stand on that bridge, begin waving, and everybody goes, “So, is that it?” Yeah, it’s. It will have been an excellent strategy to go.
‘The stands have been full, the world’s TV cameras – from all continents – have been on him, he is strolling up there on his personal, tears have been in his eyes, clearly, you may’t beat that stroll.
Woods’s former rival stated it was the proper second to convey the curtain down on his profession
‘I’ve accomplished it myself. When the stands are full, you can not beat that stroll. … I let you know what, that could be a particular, particular area. It is a theatre. That was the time for Tiger to say, “OK, I bow out.”
‘Why go on? Exit on the prime,’ Montgomerie added. ‘It is one thing that only a few can do.’
Woods missed the minimize by 9 pictures at The Open however his stroll up the notorious 18th fairway was nonetheless an iconic scene.
Woods lifted his cap in acknowledgement of the followers in an emotional scene up the 18th
On the finish of his second spherical, whereas he didn’t cease on the famed Swilcan Bridge, he did carry his cap in acknowledgement of the followers and their standing ovation.
He declined to say whether or not it might be his closing look at an Open Championship and talking on the Hero World Problem, he revealed that he intends to play the majors subsequent 12 months and ‘possibly one or two extra’ common occasions, his leg allowing.
He was concerned in a single-car crash in February 2021, which left him with severe accidents to his proper leg and left docs pondering it might need to be amputated, in line with Woods.
He was in a single-car crash in February 2021, which left him with severe accidents to his leg
He made the minimize at each the Masters and the PGA Championship however was pressured to withdraw from the latter after the third spherical as he struggled together with his accidents.
Montgomerie, who completed second to Woods on the 2005 Open, claimed he cannot see the icon, who has 82 PGA tour wins to his title, ever claiming one other victory once more.
‘I do not see him doing that [winning again],’ Montgomerie stated. ‘Individuals will say, “Oh come on, Monty”. Hear, sure, he is nice. However Tiger would not should now simply get again to the usual he was acting at then. He has to enhance it.
The 15-time main winner made his sensational return and made the minimize on the Masters in April
‘The usual is enhancing on a regular basis, and there is not one or two guys that may beat him now. There’s 22 guys that may beat him. So, it is Tiger making an attempt to get not again to the place he was however to get to a regular he is by no means been at earlier than and I do not suppose that is doable.
‘I can not see that occuring. I would like it to occur as a result of it is nice for the sport. I’d love him to win. However I simply can’t see it occurring.’
Woods’ final win got here on the 2019 Zozo Championship, the place he tied Sam Snead’s document for all-time PGA Tour wins of 82.
He has repeatedly insisted that he won’t enter tournaments if he would not consider he has an opportunity of successful.
Woods’ final win got here on the 2019 Zozo Championship, the place he tied document for PGA Tour wins
Woods was additionally slated to play within the Hero World Problem, an occasion which he hosted within the Bahamas in the beginning of the month, however withdrew the Monday earlier than, citing plantar fasciitis.
He did, nonetheless, play alongside Rory McIlroy on Saturday as they took on Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in The Match VII, earlier than struggling a 3&2 loss.
He’s additionally set to tee it up on the PNC Championship this weekend together with his son Charlie, 13, of their third look on the occasion.
Woods was authorised to make use of a golf cart at each The Match and the PNC Championship.
