Tiger Woods fired rounds of 79 and 77 to overlook the reduce by eight photographs at Royal Troon.
Getty Photos
Test in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked subjects within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com.
Tiger Woods struggled once more on the Open Championship, capturing 79-77 to overlook the reduce in his third straight main (he’s withdrawn or missed the reduce in six of his final main begins over the previous three years). This additionally comes simply days after a Colin Montgomerie interview unfold during which Montgomerie instructed Woods take into account retiring. Whereas Woods’ feedback this week doesn’t make it sound like that’s taking place quickly, do you assume he’ll ever really be aggressive in a significant once more?
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): I nonetheless assume there’s a probability, in some unspecified time in the future, that the draw and climate align. His physique feels good, he will get 5-6 days of (principally) pain-free golf and rides a streaky putter to contend in a significant. However he’s mentioned it so many occasions earlier than that he merely can’t get the reps in to organize for majors with out risking damage for the majors. He’ll by no means be a assure to make each single main reduce (who’s, nowadays, in addition to Scottie Scheffler?) however I’m nonetheless optimistic he’s received a last flash or two in him. Different occasions, nevertheless, I’m wondering if what we’re ready for — the whole lot to align completely for him — already got here through the 2019 Masters, making it much more tough for lightning to strike twice. However whether or not he contends or not, I feel he’ll keep on the market some time so long as he’s not capturing high-80s scores or some embarrassing quantity. He nonetheless means an excessive amount of to the sport and followers would somewhat see him battle to make the reduce than in no way.
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): I don’t — and I haven’t since his automotive accident in 2021. The expertise continues to be there, however his physique merely can’t deal with the grind of a full week at a significant championship. It’s why we’ll see him put collectively a stable begin at Augusta solely to fade because the week progresses. When his legs are contemporary he’s nonetheless received the stuff to compete with the most effective, however because the week goes on his physique begins to put on down and he can’t play as much as his full skills. If he had been enjoying in a cart I’d have some optimism that he may win one other main, however the put on and tear of a full week on his ft makes the proposition of one other main win extremely unlikely. These with rose-colored glasses would possibly level to his comeback and win on the 2019 Masters as proof that he can defy the chances, however that was a completely completely different Tiger from a bodily standpoint. He’s mentioned he doesn’t need to develop into a “ceremonial golfer,” however I’m afraid that day is already right here.
Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): Sure — with a caveat. The thought is he goes into the lab over the subsequent 5 months, we see one thing completely different on the Hero — stronger basis, maybe — and he takes benefit of the brand new provision that’ll let him play within the Signatures subsequent, permitting him reps. But when it’s the majors solely, prefer it principally was this yr, then no. If the physique can’t maintain it, then he gained’t contend. He mentioned as a lot himself. However I’d completely assume a Tiger Woods enjoying 10-12 occasions a yr would contend at a Masters, the place he’s conversant in each inch of grass, or at an Open Championship, the place the psychological sport is perhaps the largest weapon required to contend.
Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): Sure, I feel he’ll contend in one other main. However I’ll additionally acknowledge that — like loads of my colleagues within the golf media — I’ve a significant blind spot with regards to Tiger Woods. It’s powerful to separate the true probabilities of him contending from my need to see what a spectacle it will be if he did. My issues, in a single sentence: It was simple to say it was simply the accidents when he was so clearly unhealthy. My optimism, in a single sentence: He seems to be more healthy and he’s come again to shock us earlier than. I feel he’ll contend once more at the same time as I acknowledge that “I feel” and “I hope” are in all probability powerful to unwrap with Tiger greater than anybody else.
