The particular ovation soundtracked the entirety of the 15-time major winner’s lengthy walk down the Older Course’s 18th fairway, as a visibly emotional Hardwoods — removing his hat to salute the particular reception — easily wiped away tears.
It remains to be seen whether one of golf’s greatest icons provides played his final professional shot on one of the sport’s many iconic venues, but if this was to be goodbye, then it was a fitted send-off.
“The fans, the ovation and the warmth, it was an unbelievable sensation, ” Woods informed reporters.
“As I got closer to the green… the ovation got louder, you could feel the heat and you could feel the people from both sides. Felt like the entire tournament was immediately. ”
To play his favorite program again had been the particular 46-year-old’s main concentrate during the grueling recovery process he has endured since a car accident in February 2021 left him with serious leg injuries.
A three-time Open champion — twice a winner on St . Andrews — any hopes associated with Woods lifting a fairytale fourth Claret Jug were dashed early after a difficult very first round left him tied for 146th in the return to the club and 14 photos adrift of the chief.
It left him requiring a miracle to make the cut and extend his potential farewell visit to the weekend. Regardless of an improved second circular performance, a chain of agonizingly brief putts extinguished any faint chances of the fabled comeback as he finished nine over par.
Speaking to the eve of the event, Woods — despite asserting he experienced “a lot stronger” — have been candid about taking the new limits associated with his body. Getting withdrawn from the PGA Championship in May, this individual completed his models at the flatter St . Andrews course but could be seen limping during parts of Friday’s session.
And with the Open not really potentially returning to the ‘home of golf’ until 2030, Woods admitted he may have played his final Open at the location.
“I’m not retiring through the game, but I actually don’t know if I will be physically able to enjoy back here once again when it comes back close to, ” Woods said.
“I’ll be able to play upcoming British Opens, indeed, but eight years’ time, I question if I’ll be aggressive at this level.
“Life progresses, and I think that’s what people understand. They understood my circumstances this year, of just actively playing, period. I was very lucky to have had a great team close to me to get myself to where I was physically able to perform three times this year and extremely thankful to all of them for getting me for this spot. ”
With the estimated 290, 1000 spectators around the Aged Course this week, with regard to much of the event’s first two days, this felt like most of them had been following Woods round the course, such was the fanfare wherever this individual went.
Crowds piled behind the ropes whenever he was at the tee, with three particularly enthusiastic Forest fans dressed go to toe in Tiger costumes. Though capturing just four birdies across the opening two rounds, each one had been met with a level of crowd roar that will suggested he had been once again contending towards the top of the leaderboard.
His amount of respect among many other players was also apparent, with Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas — moving throughout the adjacent first tee as Woods strolled the 18th — both tipping their cap as he flushed.
Previously, world No . one Scottie Scheffler mentioned he hoped he previously not seen the final of Woods from St . Andrews.
“He’s a pretty resilient guy and he loves to compete, ” he told reporters.
“We’ll see what he’s in store for us the following years. Any time you can see that will guy out on the particular golf course, especially The Course, it’s really special.
“For us, as players, to have him about is pretty cool. When he got in this car wreck, didn’t know if we would have him back. Just to have him out here playing golf is pretty special for everyone. ”