Five years after his last major victory, Tiger Woods has announced that he is fully prepared and eager to compete for the Claret Jug at the British Open at Royal Troon.
Woods, 48, emphasized his dedication to fitness, stating he has been working hard in the gym to ready himself for the tournament starting Thursday.
Despite his age and past injuries, including a severe car accident in 2021 that nearly resulted in the loss of his right leg, Woods remains optimistic.
He firmly rejected any notions of retirement, stating:
“I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event.”
His comments were in response to Colin Montgomerie’s suggestion that Woods should consider retiring. Woods noted his exemption to compete in the Open until age 60, contrasting Montgomerie’s lack of a champion’s exemption.
Montgomerie later clarified on social media that his comments were taken out of context, wishing Woods well.
Woods’ confidence is bolstered by the nature of the Royal Troon course, which favors accuracy over long drives, potentially leveling the playing field for him. He also praised Keegan Bradley’s selection as Ryder Cup captain, expressing his belief in Bradley’s leadership capabilities.
“I think Keegan is going to be a great leader,” Woods said. “I’ll put my hat in the ring again when I have more time and I feel like I can devote myself to a Ryder Cup.”
