It was suggested by Colin Montgomerie that Tiger Woods should call time on his playing career ahead of The Open, and one fan at Royal Troon made their feelings known on the matter

“Prove Monty wrong!” was the cry on the first tee at Royal Troon as Tiger Woods got his first round of The Open Championship underway on Thursday.

Woods is making just his fifth start of the year this week, as the 82-time PGA Tour champion continues to play a part-time schedule amid struggles over his fitness. His injury setbacks have unsurprisingly hampered his game in recent years, and heading into this week’s event his future was questioned.

Woods’ former rival in Colin Montgomerie suggested it could well be time for the 15-time major winner to call time on his playing days, telling The Times: “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him.

“There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he did not seem to enjoy a single shot and you think ‘What the hell is he doing?’.” Questions Woods’ previous claims that he would only retire when he was no longer competitive, Montgomerie added: “Aren’t we there? I’d have thought we were past there.

Tiger Woods has dismissed suggestions that he should retire from professional golf as he prepares to mount a challenge for the British Open, which begins at Royal Troon on Thursday.

The American golfer won the last of his 15 majors at the 2019 Masters, with his most recent professional victory coming later that year at the Zozo Championship. Since then, he has faced significant challenges, particularly after a car accident in 2021 that nearly resulted in the loss of his right leg.

After missing the cut at last month’s US Open, former world number two Colin Montgomerie, who famously never won a major, suggested it might be time for the 82-time PGA Tour event winner to retire.

“There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger Woods it’s time to go,” Montgomerie said. “Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”

When asked about those comments ahead of the Open at Royal Troon, Tiger Woods responded: “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. I’ll play as long as I can play, and I feel like I can still win the event.”

Asked if his belief in his ability to win had wavered during his struggles over the last two years, Woods replied: “No.”

His press conference comments prompted a swift response from Montgomerie. “If golf writers want my thoughts on Tiger, please ask me directly, rather than taking a quote from an interview out of context. Wishing Tiger Woods an enjoyable and successful week,” Montgomerie posted on X.

The former top golfer’s hopes of turning back the clock have not been helped by tournaments favouring the biggest hitters in the game as driving distances get longer. However, he believes that Royal Troon may play to his strengths. On this links course, accuracy has an edge over distance, boosting Woods’ chances of at least cutting.

“The older you get, the less you can carry the golf ball, but over here, you can run the golf ball 100 yards if you get the right wind and the right trajectory,” said Woods, who won the Open in 2000, 2005, and 2006.

“I think that’s one of the reasons why you see older champions up there on the board because they’re not forced to have to carry the ball 320 yards anymore. I’ve been training a lot better. We’ve been busting it pretty hard in the gym, which has been good.”

The 48-year-old dismissed retirement suggestions, having last won a major at the 2019 Masters and his most recent professional victory at the 2019 Zozo Championship.

Woods has faced significant struggles since a 2021 car accident that nearly cost him his right leg. After missing the cut at last month’s US Open, former world number two Colin Montgomerie suggested it might be time for Woods to retire. “There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go,” Montgomerie said. “Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”

In response, Woods stated, “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. I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event.” When asked if his belief had wavered during recent struggles, Woods replied, “No.”

Montgomerie responded on X, stating, “If golf writers want my thoughts on Tiger, please ask me directly rather than taking a quote out of context. Wishing Tiger an enjoyable and successful week.”

Despite Woods’ confident statements, he is clearly no longer the dominant player he was for two decades. His chances of returning to form are not helped by the trend of tournaments favouring long drivers, but he believes Royal Troon could work to his advantage.

At Royal Troon, accuracy is more important than distance, which could boost Woods’ chances to make the cut. “The older you get, the less you can carry the ball, but on this course, you can let it roll,” said Woods, a three-time Open winner (2000, 2005, 2006).

He added, “That’s why older champions can still compete here. I’ve been working hard in the gym, and it’s helping my game.”

Woods also expressed confidence in Keegan Bradley as Ryder Cup captain for 2025. “I think Keegan will be a great leader; he’s very passionate about the event,” Woods said. He turned down the captaincy due to time constraints but said he might reconsider in the future: “When I have more time and can fully commit, I’ll put my hat in the ring again.”