Colin Montgomerie, a European Ryder Cup legend, has dropped the mic on Tiger Woods.
He advised that Woods ought to retire as a result of he doesn’t have the identical aura as he used to, per the Occasions of London. When ought to the Huge Cat grasp up the golf equipment? Montgomerie hinted at earlier than Woods is ready to play his twenty third Open Championship.
Why would the Scotland native suppose that? It was not the primary time he had a scorching tackle Woods. Montgomerie additionally advised Woods wouldn’t win once more in 2017.
“I hope folks keep in mind Tiger as Tiger was — the eagerness and the charismatic aura round him,” Montgomerie informed The Occasions. “There’s none of that now. At Pinehurst, he didn’t appear to take pleasure in a single shot, and also you suppose, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ He’s coming to Troon, and he received’t take pleasure in it there both.”
Since his accident that almost took his leg and life, Woods has gone by means of lots. For him to even play golf is unbelievable as a result of many didn’t know if that might occur. Nevertheless, since his return, the outcomes haven’t been what golf followers are accustomed to seeing from Tiger.
He had ankle surgical procedure final yr and claims to be in no ache. The 82-time PGA Tour winner has solely performed in 5 tournaments since withdrawing within the third spherical of the 2023 Masters. His first occasion again was the Hero World Problem.
Woods withdrew from the Genesis Invitational in February within the second spherical due to an sickness. The 15-time main winner made the weekend for a record-setting minimize twenty fourth straight time at Augusta Nationwide however settled for sixtieth.
Since then, Tiger missed the minimize on the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Membership and Pinehurst for the U.S. Open. He nonetheless believes he can win on the PGA Tour and maintains he solely performs if he thinks he can.
Montgomerie by no means received a serious on the PGA Tour. He witnessed firsthand in 1997 what was to come back with Tiger when the 21-year-old shot a 65 on Saturday on the Masters to construct a nine-shot lead. It might be his first main championship win.
The Scot felt like Woods ought to have stopped on the Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews throughout the one hundred and fiftieth Open Championship.
Nevertheless, Woods didn’t cease on that bridge, signifying his profession was not over. At 48 years previous, Tiger has 15 majors and three Open titles — twice at St. Andrews in 2002 and 2005 and 2006 at Royal Liverpool.
Woods hinted at taking part in on the Champions Tour when he turns 50. Nevertheless, as a previous champion, he can play within the Open till he turns 60. He can also play within the Masters and PGA Championship for all times. The USGA gave him a particular exemption to play at this yr’s U.S. Open in Pinehurst.
“There’s a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, nevertheless it’s very tough to inform Tiger it’s time to go,” Montgomerie stated. “Clearly, he nonetheless feels he can win. We’re extra lifelike.”
Will Tiger have the ability to stroll away with out reaching Jack Nicklaus’ main document, or will he understand when the precise time is to retire? Solely Woods will know when his retirement will occur, however the world may make that day a nationwide vacation when it does.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. For extra golf protection, observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You can too observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
