One and a half years after his serious accident, Tiger Woods wants to act with particular verve at his favorite spot in St. Andrews on the Scottish east coast. But he is plagued by pain and is eliminated. He hints it could have been his last performance at the British Open.
When Tiger Woods ran to the 18th green on the venerable Old Course in St Andrews for perhaps the last time and the fans in the stands rose to thunderous applause, the visibly moved golf superstar hid his face in his hands. "I had a few tears in my eyes and I'm not someone who bursts into tears very often about 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.
In contrast to the weak opening round of 78, the US star was able to improve slightly, but this time it was only enough for a moderate round of 75 at the fourth and last major tournament 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 playing 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.
For the three-time British Open winner, the $14 million event at the self-proclaimed "Home of Golf" was only the third PGA tournament since his serious car accident in February 2021, in which he broke his right leg multiple times. After his comeback at the Masters in April, he retired from a major tournament for the first time in his pro career at the PGA Championship in Tulsa in May. The pain in the leg was too bad. He then skipped the US Open in June.
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," 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'm not going to stop playing," said Woods, 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."
