Why Tiger Woods Should Not (And Will Not) Stop On The Swilcan Bridge
It's clear that the 15-time Major has a number of Opens left in him
Tiger Woods' week at St Andrews is going to end prematurely after there being a feeling that this 150th Open might have been a significant week for the 15-time Major winner.
Following his car accident last year and with it coming at the latter stage of his career, there were feelings that the icon may choose to bow out at the home of golf. We don't really know when The Open will return to St Andrews, it's the historic 150th playing of the championship and this is Tiger's favourite golf course in the world. Perhaps it would be the perfect time to say goodbye.
However, that doesn't look like it'll be happening this week. Woods will be bowing out today, but only out of the tournament after opening with a 78. He laughed off a retirement question earlier in the week and remains dead-set on competing in the world's biggest and best events.
VIDEO: THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT TIGER WOODS
He'll never play a full schedule again, that's for sure, but he will play on. His next St Andrews Open could be his last, but this one certainly isn't.
Mark Calcavecchia, who said his goodbye to The Open himself today on the Swilcan Bridge, agrees. "I'm going to say no. This isn't his last Open, especially here," he said. "He'll be back."
It's not yet known when the home of golf will again host the world's oldest Major but possible dates could be 2027 or 2030. By that time, Woods will be in his his early-to-mid-50s and perhaps a ceremonial golfer, which may present the perfect time to walk away from the sport.
He could even go on longer, and he probably will. He's exempt into this tournament for another 14 years and even 62-year-old Calcavecchia played 36 holes on two dodgy knees this week.
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What we do know is that the 46-year-old made the cut at Augusta National and the PGA Championship this year and has not loads but enough time left to play many more Opens. It's been great to see him back at St Andrews this week. Here's to a few more.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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