Tiger Woods confirmed he will play the Open next year despite missing the cut at Royal Troon with the joint-worst opening two rounds of his major career.
The 15-time Major champion has been urged to call time on his glittering career, not least by Troon member Colin Montgomerie who claimed the aura and passion that surrounds him had gone.
Woods finished his two rounds at Troon on 14-over, tying the 156 shots he needed to get through two rounds at the US Open in 2015.
At the time he finished his round there were only four players behind him on the leaderboard.
Yet there was no doubt in Woods’s mind when asked by reporters if he’ll return for the 153nd Open at Royal Portrush next year.
Tiger Woods confirmed he will play the Open next year despite missing the cut at Royal Troon
‘Next year’s Open? Definitely,’ said Woods. ‘I loved it [this week]. I’ve always loved playing major championships. I just wish I was more physically sharp. Majors test you emotionally, physically, mentally. I just wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be. I was hoping that I would find it somehow, I just never did. Consequently, my results and scores were pretty high.’
Woods posted five bogies and two double-bogies in his second round of 77, two better than his opening round Thursday.
For all the talk around Woods’s aura, throngs of spectators followed him around Troon, including a grown man in a tiger onesie, as they cheered every shot and gave him a rousing ovation as he came down the 18th.
Woods gave a brutal response to Montgomerie’s assessment ahead of the tournament when he said: ‘Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not. He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do.’
The 48-year-old former champion finished his two rounds at Troon on 14-over Friday
The 15-time major winner insisted he will tee it up at Royal Portrush for the 153rd Open
He’s 48 now and, not only was Woods adamant he’ll return to play next year in Norther Ireland but is also eyeing up a return to Scottish links in the future.
The location for the Open in 2027 is not yet confirmed though it’s heavily expected to be St Andrews, where Woods won twice in 2000 and 2005.
‘I won two of my championships in Scotland, I have always enjoyed playing up here and I have enjoyed the different types of links and challenges that Scotland brings.
‘I’ve missed playing Troon, it’s been a long time. I remember playing here way back in 1997. I have had some great memories here, I just wish they had gone a little bit better, and I look forward to it.’
