Tiger Woods confirmed he will play in next year’s Open despite missing the cut at Royal Troon, posting the worst first two rounds of his career in a major.
The 15-time Major champion was prompted to end his glittering career, not least by Troon member Colin Montgomerie, who claimed the charisma and passion that surrounded him had disappeared.
Woods finished his two rounds at Troon on 14-over par, equaling the 156 strokes he needed to survive two rounds at the 2015 US Open.
When he finished his round, there were only four players behind him on the scoreboard.
Still, there was no doubt in Woods’ mind when reporters asked if he would return next year for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.
Tiger Woods confirmed he will compete in next year’s Open despite missing the cut at Royal Troon
“Open next year? Definitely,” Woods said. “I loved it [this week]. I always liked playing major championships. I just wish I was physically sharper. Majors test you emotionally, physically, mentally. I just wasn’t as sharp as I should have been. I hoped I would find it somehow, but I never did. As a result, my results and scores were quite high.’
Woods recorded five bogies and two double-bogies in his second-round 77, two better than his opening round on Thursday.
Despite all the talk about Woods’s charisma, hordes of spectators followed him through Troon, including a grown man in a tiger suit, cheering every stroke and giving him a standing ovation as he descended the 18th.
Woods responded harshly to Montgomerie’s pre-tournament assessment when he said: ‘Well, as a former champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin isn’t. He’s not a former champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get to make that decision. I do.’
The 48-year-old former champion completed his two rounds in Troon on Friday with 14-over
The 15-time major winner insisted he would play at Royal Portrush for the 153rd Open
Now 48, Woods is not only confident he will be playing in Northern Ireland again next year, but he also has his sights set on a return to the Scottish links in the future.
The venue for the 2027 Open has not yet been confirmed, but it is likely to be St Andrews, where Woods won twice, in 2000 and 2005.
‘I’ve won two of my championships in Scotland, I’ve always enjoyed playing here and I’ve enjoyed the different types of links and challenges that Scotland brings.
‘I’ve missed playing at Troon, it’s been a long time. I remember playing here in 1997. I have great memories here, I just wish it had been a bit better, and I’m looking forward to it.’