Tiger Woods, the legendary golfer with fifteen major championships to his name, commenced his preparations for the 152nd Open Championship on Sunday with an 18-hole practice round at the renowned Royal Troon Golf Club.
This marks Woods’ first tournament appearance at Royal Troon since his ninth-place finish in the 2004 Open Championship.
Woods, who has triumphed in the Open Championship three times, focused on honing his short game during the practice session. He dedicated significant time to chipping and putting, as well as navigating the challenging pot bunkers that are a hallmark of the course.
Accompanied solely by his caddie, Lance Bennett, Woods chose a solitary practice round, distinct from his peers Tony Finau, Lucas Glover, and Jason Day, who played in the group ahead of him. Justin Thomas, who often practices with Woods, was occupied with the final round of the Genesis Scottish Open.
This season has been challenging for Woods, who is now 48 years old. He has struggled in recent major tournaments, missing the cut or withdrawing in five of his last six starts. His performance at the Masters in April saw him finish last among those who made the cut, and his outing at the PGA Championship was marred by multiple triple bogeys. At the U.S. Open in Pinehurst, he failed to make the cut by two strokes.
Despite these setbacks, Woods remains focused on the upcoming Open Championship, which he has indicated will be his final competitive event of the year. Reflecting on his recent performances, Woods acknowledged the importance of making the cut to compete for titles.
“In order to win a golf tournament, you have to make the cut,” Woods remarked. “I thought I played well enough to be in contention. It just didn’t work out.”
Woods’ decision to potentially conclude his season with The Open signals a pivotal moment in his illustrious career, as he contemplates his future in professional golf.
