European Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie calls for Tiger Woods to step down

Ahead of the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon, the Scotsman has revealed what he thinks the 15-time major winner should do.

Montgomerie has revealed that he thinks Woods should retire from golf before next week’s British Open. / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY

TROON, Scotland—Colin Montgomerie, Europe’s Ryder Cup legend, has called for Tiger Woods to retire as he is set to play his 23rd British Open this week.

Montgomerie, who grew up playing at Royal Troon, site of the 152nd Open, told the Times of London that the three-time winner of the Claret Jug should bow out based on what he saw last month during the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. “I hope people remember Tiger for who he was, his passion and the charismatic aura that surrounded him,” Montgomery told the Times. “That’s not the case now. At Pinehurst, he didn’t seem to enjoy a single shot and you wonder: “What on earth is he doing?” » He’s coming to Troon and he won’t like it there either.”

Woods has played just five tournaments since having ankle surgery after last year’s Masters. This year, he lost in the second round of the Genesis Invitational, finished 60th in 24 consecutive starts at the Masters and missed the cut at the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open. Back problems that began before his 2019 Masters win continue to plague Woods, as does a right leg injury suffered in a car accident in 2021.

The 61-year-old Montgomerie is a full-time PGA Tour Champions player but has earned just $130,000 in prize money from 11 tournaments heading into this week’s Senior Players Championship. In 1997, he got a third-round view of a 21-year old Woods at Augusta National when he shot a Saturday 65 to build a nine-shot lead on the way to his first of 15 major titles.

Montgomerie saw the 21-year-old Woods up close and personal at the 1997 Masters. /Augusta Chronicle-USA TODAY Network

The Scotsman has never won a major tournament, finishing second to Woods on the Old Course at St. Andrews in 2005. He also lost in playoffs to Ernie Els in the 1994 U.S. Open and Steve Elkington in the 1995 PGA Championship. Montgomerie felt he should have walked away after Woods plays in the British Open at St. Andrews in 2022.

After Woods missed the cut, Montgomerie told The Times that “it was time.” “Stand on the bridge, start waving your arms, and everybody says, ‘So what? Yes, it is. That would be a glorious path. The stands were full, and TV cameras from around the world, from every continent, were watching him. He went alone, and there were clearly tears in his eyes… This procession is invincible.

Woods, now 48, has won 15 major championships and two British Opens, at St. Andrews (2002 and 2005) and Royal Liverpool (2006).

Woods says he only plays if he believes he can win. He has hinted that he plans to play golf on the Champions Tour once he turns 50 in two years. As a former winner, he enjoys a lifetime exemption to the British Open Championship until age 60, as well as the Masters and PGA Championships. He received a special exemption to participate in the US Open this year.

“Aren’t we there?” I think we went there, “Montgomery talked about Woods’ winning ability. “Every athlete has time to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to say that the moment has passed. Obviously he feels he can still win. We’re more realistic.

Bob Harig is senior writer covering golf for Sports Illustrated. He has more than 25 years of experience on the beat, including 15 years with ESPN. Harig is a regular guest on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio and has written two books, “DRIVE: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods” and “Tiger and Phil: Golf’s Most Fascinating Rivalry.” He graduated from Indiana State University, where he was awarded the Evans Scholarship, named for the great amateur golfer Charles (Chick) Evans Jr. Harig, a past president of the Golf Writers Association of America, lives in Clearwater, Florida. The 3 Minute Rule: How a Book Changed My Life Thousands of people swear by the productivity routine outlined in the book “The 3 Minute Rule.” Let’s take a look at what it’s all about. Brinkist: 29 million users. 4.8 Evaluation of stars. 7 days free …