Tiger Woods The open future is clear in an exhibition practice round with Justin Thomas. Full information below π
Tiger Woods’ preparation for The Open at Royal Troon continued Monday with a practice round alongside Justin Thomas, and it was much the same as this version of the 15-time major champion.
Tiger Woods continued his preparations for the Open Championship at Royal Troon on Monday, hinting it could be the last time he competes in the Claret Jug. After playing 18 holes on Sunday, Woods took another look at Troon Nine with good friends Justin Thomas and Max Homa. And the trio were in good spirits in the Scottish morning sun, joking as they familiarized themselves with the conditions. It was a stark contrast to No. 2 Pinehurst a month earlier, when the U.S. Open test proved too tough for the 48-year-old, missing the cut by more than seven seconds. A frustrated Woods suggested that day that not only would it be his final U.S. Open appearance, but that this week’s Open might also be his last. Read more: Rory McIlroy shares incredibly sad look at his life as a professional golfer
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“In terms of my last British Open or U.S. Open, I don’t know what that is. It may or may not be true,” he said, making no mention that the end is near for arguably the game’s greatest player. The 15-time Grand Slam champion has been in a downward spiral in recent years, with injuries slowing his game and limiting his appearances to just four tournaments this season.
He has since been urged by former opponent Colin Montgomerie to “realistically” retire. Mongolary told the Times last week: Not so now. At Pinehurst, he didn’t seem to enjoy a single hit and one wondered, “What the hell is he doing?” He’s coming to Troon and he won’t like being there either.
Woods’ reduced mobility following his 2021 car crash and subsequent surgeries was evident throughout the morning on the west coast of Scotland, walking with a slightly awkward gait and appearing tense as he was bending down to tie a shoelace. He also seemed to consciously avoid bunkers when it came to practice shots. For the latest US news, politics, sports and showbiz, visit The Mirror US.
Woods was in high spirits on Monday with Thomas and Homa (Image: Kevin S. Cox/Getty Images) After playing their approaches to each hole, the trio reach the green and scatter their balls in different spots to prepare for the various short-game challenges they may face when the tournament begins on Thursday. But when it comes to the bunkers, Homa and Thomas sling a few balls into the sand while Woods stays away, perhaps to avoid putting unnecessary strain on his body given the depth of some of the traps dotting this epic links arrangement. Woods, a 15-time major champion, has dramatically diminished in his playing ability, but he still has the ability to sway public opinion and audiences in a way few athletes do. He was playing alongside the PGA Tour’s two biggest stars, but the crowds in attendance were there to watch him. He took the shot, and the crowd surged forward to watch the next shot, even though Homa and Thomas hadn’t played yet.
The crowd savored a few magical minutes for the Tigers. A beautifully judged splash shot on the 14th after finding the sand with his approach showed he still possesses immense