Tiger Woods minimize a pissed off determine as he laboured to an eight-over-par 79 within the first spherical of the Open at Royal Troon on Thursday.
The 15-time main winner rolled again the years when he holed a protracted putt for a birdie on the third however he fell away badly thereafter in a spherical that featured six bogeys and two doubles.
The 48-year-old’s efforts have been additionally partly overshadowed by feedback from TV commentator Mark Roe about his bodily situation throughout his struggles on the Ayrshire hyperlinks.
Woods’ difficulties since being concerned in a critical automotive accident three years in the past, in addition to after quite a few again and knee operations, have been effectively documented and he now performs a restricted schedule.
Roe, a former European Tour skilled, stated on a ‘featured teams’ worldwide TV feed overseen by organisers the R&A: “You take a look at the eyes, you’ve acquired to suppose there’s a variety of painkillers being taken to deal with the ache. It’s not simple.”
Woods was not requested concerning the matter as he took solely 4 questions after his spherical, however has spoken about his issues beforehand, revealing on the 2023 Masters he felt “fixed” ache in his proper leg.
He has additionally admitted looking for skilled assist to handle remedy points previously.
Talking typically phrases at Troon, Woods stated: “I’m bodily feeling quite a bit higher than I did originally of the yr.
“On the finish of final yr, it was powerful, and I haven’t performed an entire lot.
“I believe that, because the yr has gone on, I’ve acquired higher. I simply want I might have performed slightly bit extra, however I’ve been saving it for the majors simply in case I do one thing fairly main after which take myself out of it.
“Hopefully subsequent yr can be slightly bit higher than this yr.”
The three-time Open champion now faces a battle to make the minimize however he refused to low cost his probabilities.
“I didn’t do an entire lot of issues proper at this time,” he stated. “I must shoot one thing within the mid-60s tomorrow to get one thing happening the weekend.”
Golf Information understands the R&A has spoken to Roe concerning his feedback.
