Tiger Woods produced a defiant performance in front of the media to indicate he could yet prolong his career into his 50s. Woods will participate in The Open this week, which takes place at Scotland's Royal Troon Golf Club between July 18-21.
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After playing 18 holes on Sunday, Woods got another look at the back nine as he played alongside friends Justin Thomas and Max Homa.
It appears Woods has gained some confidence from that sneak preview ahead of the tournament, which begins on Thursday, as he insisted he still believes in his ability to add to his 15 Majors.
“I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event,” Woods told reporters ahead of The Open on Tuesday.
Responding to an interview from retired golfer Colin Montgomerie in The Times that he "didn't enjoy" any of the shots he took at the US Open in June, Woods hit back at the Scot and pointed out to the 61-year-old that his exemption grants him the freedom to decide when he wants to stop playing.
“Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not," Woods added. "He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do."
Woods' somewhat tetchy response would suggest he isn't keen on being pushed towards retirement when he still feels like he can win tournaments.
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But his performance at his last major tournament - missing the cut by two strokes at the US Open at Pinehurst back in June - reflected just how far away he is from reaching his peak.
After his disappointing exit, Woods, 48, admitted it 'may or may not' have been his final appearance at Pinehurst after struggling to find form.
"As far as my last Open Championship or US Open, I don't know what that is. It may or may not be," Woods said.
"It's one of those things where in order to win a golf tournament, you have to make the cut.
"I can't win the tournament from where I'm at, so it certainly is frustrating. I thought I played well enough to be up there in contention. It just didn't work out. That was probably the best score I could have possibly shot today."
Injuries from a serious car accident in 2021 have plagued the latter stages of Woods' career. He missed The Open entirely in 2023 due to an operation and it will be his first appearance St. Andrews in 2022, where he also failed to make the cut.
