One of the biggest talking points coming into the 2024 British Open surrounding Tiger Woods was whether it was time for him to retire.
The talks and conversations stemmed from a Colin Montgomerie interview last week, saying it was past time for Woods to call it a career from playing professionally. Woods responded Tuesday during his pre-tournament press conference, but while he talked the talk in the media center, he didn’t walk the walk on the golf course, only adding fuel to the fire about how this version the 15-time major champion can compete in the biggest competitions in golf.
Woods shot 8-over 79 on Thursday at Royal Troon in Scotland, and it was a similar script to what has become the 2024 version of Tiger. He had a decent start, was 1 under thru 3 holes, but he couldn’t capitalize on his good play off the tee, as poor iron shots piled up and then it got shakier once he got on and around the greens.
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Another ailment on Thursday was a nearly 15-minute wait on the par-4 11th tee box. Woods’ group, which included PGA champion Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, had to stand around while Wyndham Clark received a ruling in the fairway and then had to wait for a TV tower to be lowered so he could hit a shot.
The cold temperatures plus standing around is about the worst thing for Woods, who has said numerous times he prefers warmer temperatures and movement to keep his body loose. When he finally hit, Woods’ tee shot nearly went out of bounds but into a bush, and he had to take an unplayable. After the wait, for the next couple holes he was constantly stretching his back and never really seemed in a groove all the way to the clubhouse.
He birdied the third and added another at the 14th, but Woods also had six bogeys and two doubles. The inconsistency of playing only five tournaments this year and 10 complete rounds showed its face again. He is a combined 39 over so far this year.
Tiger’s scores in 2024
| Tournament | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 |
| Genesis Invitational | 72 | (WD) | ||
| Masters Tournament | 73 | 72 | 82 | 77 |
| PGA Championship | 72 | 77 | ||
| U.S. Open | 74 | 73 | ||
| Open Championship | 79 |
There were flashes of prime Tiger, from stellar tee shots to the thundering movements of the stellar galleries parading around Royal Troon to get a glimpse of a legend. But far more often were the mistakes and blunders that he has only started to make thanks to Father Time and his body only allowing him to do so much.
If there were any positives from the opening round, it’s how Woods finished. He was 1 over in his last six holes when that number could’ve been a bit higher and should’ve been a bit lower. But he was somewhat stable coming in on an otherwise inconsistent day, and that’s perhaps what he needs to bounce back Friday and grind to make the cut.
However, a three-putt bogey on the last will leave a sour taste in his mouth before his tee time Friday morning.