Tiger Woods is a legend and golf's biggest superstar. Time has played him ill. Like so many heroes, he falls, experiences the deepest depths. After a car accident he struggles, but nothing gets better. The big guesswork follows the terrifying end at the British Open.
When the tears finally dried and Tiger Woods was able to see the future again, the golf superstar was staring into a gaping void. "I haven't planned anything. Zero. Maybe something next year, I don't know," said the American, who "only" wanted to rule out a career end after his emotional farewell to the 150th British Open: "I will don't stop the game."
Perhaps the now 46-year-old Woods should reconsider this decision with some distance to his questionable performance in the home of golf. After all, it was sad to see the 15-time major champion limping along the venerable Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland, without a chance in a duel with the young stars.
Woods does not seem to be able to overcome the consequences of his serious car accident in February 2021, in which his right leg was broken several times. The Californian has only played three tournaments since then. Woods held out on his comeback at the US Masters in April, had to give up at the PGA Championship in May and didn't even appear at the US Open in June.
And anyone who watched Woods in his torments on the oldest course in the world on Thursday and Friday should actually be happy that the veteran star clearly missed the cut at the last major of the year on his favorite course. So Woods didn't have to drag himself across the square at the weekend for the anniversary of the Open.
"I had a few tears in my eyes - and I'm not someone who bursts into tears very often because of anything," said Woods of his feelings during the ovation of the fans on the last lane: "It was very emotional for me because I just don't know what's going to happen with my health."
Even colleagues like Rory McIlroy paused and said hello, knowing that it was probably Woods' last start at St. Andrews. Woods had won two of his three victories at the British Open there. However, since it will be a few years before the Open returns to the Old Course, Woods is unlikely to return. He is aware of that himself.
"I don't know if I'm playing long enough to come back here," said Woods, whose Twitter post shortly afterwards sounded heavily like farewell: "I want to thank this place for all the memories it's given me - and to the fans for adding the 18 reception to this list."
