Seven years have passed since Tiger Woods was last in St. Andrews for The Open, and he has lived a lot in that time. He has had numerous surgeries, several romances, an arrest, months away from the sport, a comeback victory at Augusta National, a vehicle accident, and subsequent rehabilitation.
Woods was in his wilderness years in 2015, and he ultimately missed the cut here. “Retirement?” he asked at the time. “I am far far from that.” This time, he seemed and sounded slightly different. Now that he has reached a certain level of success, he is aware that this may be the final time he plays in a major tournament.
It may be another six or seven years before the Old Course returns to the Open rotation. “If it takes that long, I do not know if I will be physically able to compete at this level. It is also one of the reasons I wished to compete in this competition.
I have no idea what my career will entail. I know that I will never again play a full schedule. My body simply will not permit me to do that. Therefore, I do not know how many Open titles I have remaining at St. Andrews.” Not very long ago, he was uncertain as to whether he had played his final game.
Woods did not know if he would be able to play a round of golf with his son after the accident. Even he was surprised by the success of his rehabilitation. The anticipation of playing here is what helped him endure.
“Once I realized I could potentially play at a high level, my main objective was to return to St. Andrews to compete in this event. I simply could not miss this Open at the birthplace of golf.” The locale is important to him. He maintains a photograph of his first practice round here as an amateur in 1995 in his office. It depicts him striking a pose on the Swilcan Bridge.
“This has meant a great deal to me. I accomplished the career grand slam at this location. Therefore, it mattered a great deal.” The only difference is that he is on the opposite side of the ropes from every other golf fanatic.
His description of the Old Course is characterized by a childlike enthusiasm. He smiled as he described the difficulty of playing into the wind and the treacherous slopes of the greens, and again when he described the honor of playing practice rounds with Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus.
Woods seems truly amazed by the fact that he shared a putting green with 1963 Open champion Bob Charles. “I just observed him hitting on 18,” God, that was so incredible to experience that in person and person.”
In 2015, Woods sounded like a guy striving against the passage of time. Now, he seemed content with its passage. He has given considerable thought to the history of the sport and his place within it. Coming here will have this effect on you.
The game’s history is something I’ve taken to heart. I believe it is essential to comprehend the evolution of our game and where we’ve come from, especially for me, a person who has had to fight for access to clubhouses and golf courses at times.
Consequently, I also comprehend it from a distinct historical perspective. But you must respect everything about this game, how it’s developed, and the people who paved the path for us to participate in these tournaments and created the enthusiasm behind it.
There is more to be said about the upstart LIV tour and the men that signed up to play on it. This discussion of history was also for their advantage.
He wanted to remind them of what matters most. “There is a danger that some players will never get the opportunity to play in a major event, never get the chance to experience this, or walk the fairways at Augusta National. This is something I simply do not comprehend.”
He will have the opportunity to stroll the championship course here at least twice more. Or four, if he has his way, as he is planning to be in contention on Sunday. On such links golf courses, you can play well into your fifties. He referenced Tom Watson’s 2009 runner-up finish at Turnberry.
Watson’s age at the time was 59. So it is possible. It just requires a great deal of information and comprehension to play this sort of golf. And because the fairways are fast and hard, older golfers can run the ball out there and have a chance.”
Woods, who was playing here when Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus concluded their careers, has witnessed a couple of them. Win or lose, Woods will have another famous shot of him on Swilcan Bridge to add to the one already on his desk, based on the manner he was speaking.
