Ryder Cup legend drops startling suggestion for Tiger Woods to retire before The Open
A longtime European Ryder Cup veteran made quite the statement about Tiger Woods and when he should give up the game.
Colin Montgomerie, a European Ryder Cup legend, has dropped the mic on Tiger Woods.
He suggested that Woods should retire because he does not have the same aura as he used to, per the Times of London. When should the Big Cat hang up the clubs? Montgomerie hinted at before Woods is set to play his 23rd Open Championship.
Why would the Scotland native think that? It was not the first time he had a hot take on Woods. Montgomerie also suggested Woods would not win again in 2017.
“I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was — the passion and the charismatic aura around him,” Montgomerie told The Times. “There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, 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.”
Since his accident that nearly took his leg and life, Woods has gone through a lot. For him to even play golf is incredible because many did not know if that would happen. However, since his return, the results have not been what golf fans are accustomed to seeing from Tiger.
He had ankle surgery last year and claims to be in no pain. The 82-time PGA Tour winner has only played in five tournaments since withdrawing in the third round of the 2023 Masters. His first event back was the Hero World Challenge.
Woods withdrew from the Genesis Invitational in February in the second round because of an illness. The 15-time major winner made the weekend for a record-setting cut 24th straight time at Augusta National but settled for 60th.
Since then, Tiger missed the cut at the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club and Pinehurst for the U.S. Open. He still believes he can win on the PGA Tour and maintains he only plays if he thinks he can.
Montgomerie never won a major on the PGA Tour. He witnessed firsthand in 1997 what was to come with Tiger when the 21-year-old shot a 65 on Saturday at the Masters to build a nine-shot lead. It would be his first major championship win.
The Scot felt like Woods should have stopped on the Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews during the 150th Open Championship.
However, Woods did not stop on that bridge, signifying his career was not over. At 48 years old, Tiger has 15 majors and three Open titles — twice at St. Andrews in 2002 and 2005 and 2006 at Royal Liverpool.
Woods hinted at playing on the Champions Tour when he turns 50. However, as a past champion, he can play in the Open until he turns 60. He also can play in the Masters and PGA Championship for life. The USGA gave him a special exemption to play at this year’s U.S. Open in Pinehurst.
“There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go,” Montgomerie said. “Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”
Will Tiger be able to walk away without reaching Jack Nicklaus’ major record, or will he realize when the right time is to retire? Only Woods will know when his retirement will happen, but the world might make that day a national holiday when it does.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.