Tiger is banned from retiring after his last Open at St. Louis. Andrews

A picture alone included Jack Nicklaus (33 Grand Slams are contemplating them, 18 the ‘Golden Bear’ and 15 the ‘Tiger’) this Monday at the famous Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole of the Old Course during the Celebration of Champions, and some with other players and his partner Erika, have released rumors that the former world number 1 may come for the last time to play in the Open and eventually withdraw, something that was denied both on TV and at a press conference.

Tiger was excited on Tuesday about the possibility of playing British Open on the historic Saint Andrews course starting Thursday. After his car accident in February 2021 that nearly exhausted his right foot, and after playing in Augusta and the PGA, he did not miss the US Open because of its stiffness but immediately confirmed he was in the British. When he was seen walking, a sincere ‘suffering’ because he wasn’t the Tiger we all wanted to see and more, even though he himself noticed that he wasn’t the Augusta native when he returned to the circuit, that is. , that he is not improving, that he is stagnant, that it can also influence your mood.

Tiger played in his first Open at the Old Course as a rookie in 1995, in 2000 he was the fifth golfer in history to complete a Grand Slam combining four ‘majors’, he lifted the Jar in 2005, and played here again. golf sanctuary in 2010 and 2015. It was therefore his sixth British (he won three) at the Cathedral. And he didn’t know if it was too late.

“Most of the time during my rehab I just hope I can walk again. Walk normal and have a normal life, maybe play a little golf with my son and friends. But finally this year I was able to feel the competition again. And then I realize I can do it at a high level, although I won’t be able to play the whole season again, my goal is to come back here to Saint Andrews to play this tournament that is the most historic in our sport, ”Woods said in the Press room.

And on the question of how he feels physically, he was clear and sincere: “Really, my body could have improved, but honestly, not much. It carried a lot of cargo and at 46 years old it was not coming back as well at 26. But I’m lucky that in our sport you can still play from the age of 45, and even over 50 at links like Saint Andrews.It takes a lot of skill to play well on these courses. And on fast, solid fairways like is, it allows older players to roll the ball and have their chance, “said Tiger, who however acknowledged he was not ready to win his fourth. British and 16th ‘big’ this week.

“I arrived on Saturday, but I wasn’t hit by the balls. I just came to tour the course. There was no tension. I just tried to get an idea of ​​the course. While I was staying at the hotel on the 17th hole, I left at 9pm , I I went to one of the greens and started practicing. Then, on Sunday, I played 18 holes. Monday nine and this Tuesday another nine. On Wednesday I will rest “.

Tiger doesn’t want to think about this possibility that it will be his last Open on the Old Course but he knows that when the tournament returns here in five or six years it will be very difficult for him to make it into a position to perform. at the highest level, so wanted to enjoy this historic 150th edition as if in 1995, when he debuted as a skinny young man with great skills and ways to succeed, as always.

Tiger was also asked by the Arab Super League and by dissident players for a million dollar mistake, and nothing was left in the room. “They turn their backs on what brought them where they are. Some players have no background on the PGA Tour. They go straight from the amateur circuit to this organization without having a chance to experience what it feels like to play on the tour or on the big tournaments.Some of these players may never play a Grand Slam, they may never play in Saint Andrews, they may never walk the streets of Augusta.That, to me, is incomprehensible.They are pays big money up front.to play a 54-hole tournament, instead of the classic 72. I understand that the senior circuit is 54 holes, they are older and less physically fit.But when you are young, and the some of these players are kids coming from amateur golf, playing 72 holes is part of the difficulty of the game, ”Woods shot.

But there’s still a bullet in the magazine: “So I don’t see how this change (in LIV) can be a lasting positive for many of these players, especially if LIV isn’t getting ranking points in world and the ‘bigs’ aren’t they changing their exemption criteria. It’s sad to see some of these young players never set foot in these holy places. “