Tiger Woods delivers stinging response to Colin Montgomerie after retirement comments
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Tiger Woods delivered a brutal response to Colin Montgomerie ahead of the 152nd British Open after the European golf legend suggested the 15-time Major Champion shouldn’t be here.
In an in-depth interview with The Times, Monty (read his full Troon course guide here) said he hoped “people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him.”
“There is none of that now,” the European great, who famously never won a Major, said. “At Pinehurst [for the U.S. Open], he did not seem to enjoy a single shot and you think, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ He’s coming to Troon, and he won’t enjoy it there either.”
After missing the cut at the year’s third men’s Major, Woods refused to be drawn on whether it would be his final US Open having needed a special exemption to play in the event.
Montgomerie was more definitive.
“Aren’t we there? I’d have thought we were past there. There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go,” he said. “Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”
Monty went on to say that if Woods continues to play, he could tarnish his legacy.
“These guys only know Tiger Woods missing the cut, and he’s better than that… the best we’ve ever seen.”
Woods will have the chance to win some big tournaments after his lifetime exemption to signature PGA Tour events, but speaking to the media ahead of his attempt to win a fourth Open Championship, Woods delivered a scathing response to Monty.
“Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not. He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do.” Ouch.
Tiger insists, “I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event”.
Clearly, Tiger has more than earned the right to decide when it’s time to call it a day. Whilst it’s hard to watch him struggling physically, his 2019 Masters win shows he can still win a major even with a body that’s working against him. And the crowds for Tiger are still far greater than for any other golfer, with people grouped three-deep just to watch him hit a shot during a practice round.
Tiger has always insisted he’ll quit when he no longer believes he can win, and we have to take his word on that. I certainly won’t be backing him this week, but I wouldn’t want my life to depend on him not winning either.
That moment when he waves goodbye for the final time grows nearer with each passing major and accelerates with each missed cut or withdrawal. So, for now, let’s just enjoy the Tiger we’ve got.
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Tiger Woods addresses the media at the 152nd British Open at Royal Troon.
