Mark Roe made a distasteful comment regarding Tiger Woods at The Open Championship on Thursday, which led many to go on social media to express their thoughts on the commentator’s decision
A commentator at The Open Championship uttered an off-handed comment aimed at Tiger Woods that caught fans by surprise (Image: Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
A commentator at the Open Championship was called out by fans for his off-handed comment regarding Tiger Woods’ form coming into competition at Royal Troon.
Coming into Thursday’s action, Woods has been dealing with a handful of injuries, severely limiting how many tournaments the 48-year-old can enter and fully compete in. Woods has only competed in four tournaments in 2024 thus far, making the cut only at The Masters.
He also pulled out of the Genesis Invitational with a bout of illness. Because of how human the once-great Woods looked this year, many pundits have raised concerns about the 82-time PGA Tour winner’s ability to compete at the highest level.
One of those pundits was Mark Roe, who made a questionable comment when announcing the featured groups for the opening round of The Open Championship. “You look at the eyes, you gotta think there’s a lot of painkillers being taken to cope with the pain,” Roe said during the broadcast.
Considering how many surgeries Woods had undergone in recent years to just walk and the struggles he’s had to get back to the course, the speculation seemed crass. Fans immediately took notice of Roe’s comments and made their thoughts known on social media.
“A little bit odd for Mark Roe to just come out and say that,” one user wrote on X. “Not all the silences have to be filled.” A shocked user added: “An absolute crazy thing to say on air.”
Tiger Woods has been marred with injuries, with many threatening his career ( Image: Photo by Stuart Franklin/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
Another commenter added that Roe’s conduct does not warrant him a position at Sky Sports, writing: “Mark Roe does not deserve a job at your network. His featured group commentary is an absolute disgrace to the game of golf and Tiger. Speculating about drug addiction on the air? Classless.”
Woods was arrested in 2017 on a DUI charge after he was found to have pain medication, sleep medication, and an ingredient of marijuana in his system. He entered a diversion program and did not receive a DUI conviction.
What’s more, Colin Montgomerie even outwardly opined that Woods is no longer fit to continue playing professional golf, claiming it is time for the 48-year-old to retire. “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him. 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?’” Montgomerie said.
“He’s coming to Troon and he won’t enjoy it there either. … There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go. Obviously, he still feels he can phone in. We are more realistic.”
In response to his comments, Woods shot back at the Scot for outwardly calling on the legend to retire, stating: “Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not.
“He is not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do. So when I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he doesn’t. … I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event.”
