Ruthless Tiger Woods hits back at Colin Montgomerie in spiky Open press conference as he eyes victory at Royal Troon
Tiger Woods ruthlessly dismissed Colin Montgomerie’s comments about retirement and insists he can still win another Open Championship.The 48-year-old won the last of his 15 majors at the 2019 Masters and, after the car crash in 2021 in which he almost lost a leg, he has struggled for fitness.He made the cut at The Masters in April before ultimately finishing on 16-over-par and then badly struggled at the PGA Championship and US Open.He is back for The Open at Royal Troon this week but prior to the event, former rival Montgomerie has said it is time for Woods to call it a day.Woods was asked if he had a response to Montgomerie’s comments at his pre-tournament press conference and said: “I’ll play as long as I can play and feel like I can still win the event.As a past (Open) champion I am exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not as he’s not a past champion, he’s not exempt.”He doesn’t get the right to make that decision. I do. When I get to his age I get to make that decision. He doesn’t.”AdvertisementWoods’ answers drew laughs from the awaiting journalists.And asked if his belief in claiming another major win has wavered at all over the past few years, Woods answered simply: “No.”Woods enjoyed a practice round at Troon on Sunday and nearly made a hole-in-one on the famous Postage Stamp par-3 eighth hole.He has been around the course again on Monday and Tuesday and is awaiting news of his grouping and tee time for Thursday’s opening round at the 152nd Open.Woods said: “I’ve always loved playing here at Troon but I’ve only played here twice, in 1997 [tied 24th] and 2004 [tied fourth].There’s a way of using the ground to your advantage on hitting shots and shaping it correctly. “Look at some of the past champions that have been artists in how they’ve been able to manoeuvre the golf ball and use the ground. This golf course allows you to do that.”I think the older you get, the less you can carry the ball. But over here, you can run the golf ball 100 yards if you get the right wind and the right trajectory.I think that’s one of the reasons why you see older champions up there on the board because they’re not forced to have to carry the ball 320 yards any more.”I’m really looking forward to it. I didn’t get the chance to play it [Troon] the last time it was here. I’m looking forward to the challenges.”I know they have lengthened quite a few holes. It’s a lot longer golf course, with a few added bunkers here and there. Overall it’s one of those golf courses where you’re going to get it one of the nines – going out down wind or coming home into it, or vice versa.
