It stays to be seen whether or not one among golf’s best icons has performed his remaining skilled shot at one of many sport’s most iconic venues, but when this was to be goodbye, then it was a becoming send-off.
“The followers, the ovation and the heat, it was an unbelievable feeling,” Woods instructed reporters.
“As I received nearer to the inexperienced … the ovation received louder, you possibly can really feel the heat and you possibly can really feel the individuals from each side. Felt like the entire match was proper there.”
To play his favourite course once more had been the 46-year-old’s essential focus in the course of the grueling restoration course of he has endured since a automobile accident in February 2021 left him with severe leg accidents.
It left him needing a miracle to make the minimize and lengthen his potential farewell tour to the weekend. Regardless of an improved second spherical efficiency, a string of agonizingly quick putts extinguished any faint possibilities of a fabled comeback as he completed 9 over par.
And with the Open not doubtlessly returning to the ‘dwelling of golf’ till 2030, Woods admitted he might have performed his final Open on the venue.
“I am not retiring from the sport, however I do not know if I shall be bodily in a position to play again right here once more when it comes again round,” Woods mentioned.
“I am going to be capable of play future British Opens, sure, however eight years’ time, I doubt if I will be aggressive at this degree.
“Life strikes on, and I feel that is what individuals perceive. They knew my circumstances this yr, of simply enjoying, interval. I used to be very fortunate to have had an incredible crew round me to get me to the place I used to be bodily in a position to play 3 times this yr and really grateful to all of them for getting me to this spot.”
Fanfare
With an estimated 290,000 spectators across the Previous Course this week, for a lot of the occasion’s first two days, it felt like most of them had been following Woods across the course, such was the fanfare wherever he went.
Crowds piled behind the ropes at any time when he was on the tee, with three significantly enthusiastic Woods followers dressed head to toe in Tiger costumes. Although capturing simply 4 birdies throughout the opening two rounds, every one was met with a degree of crowd roar that recommended he was as soon as once more contending on the high of the leaderboard.
His degree of respect amongst fellow gamers was additionally evident, with Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas — shifting down the adjoining first tee as Woods walked the 18th — each tipping their cap as he handed.
Earlier, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler mentioned he hoped he had not seen the final of Woods at St. Andrews.
“He is a reasonably resilient man and he likes to compete,” he instructed reporters.
“We’ll see what he has in retailer for us the subsequent few years. Any time you’ll be able to see that man out on the golf course, particularly The Previous Course, it is actually particular.
“For us, as gamers, to have him round is fairly cool. When he received in that automobile wreck, did not know if we might have him again. Simply to have him out right here enjoying golf is fairly particular for all of us.”
