Golfing great Colin Montgomerie has hinted that it might be time for Tiger Woods to hang up his clubs, bluntly questioning: “What the hell is he doing?”
Despite battling ongoing injuries, Woods, who has clinched 15 major titles, is gearing up to compete in The Open Championship next week.
Woods continues to take part in major tournaments with the hope of securing one final triumph to cap off his illustrious career.
Yet, Montgomerie, a stalwart of the Ryder Cup scene, admits he finds it difficult to watch the 48 year old golf titan on the course.
This year has seen Woods enter only four events.
He had to pull out from The Genesis Invitational due to illness in February and then ended up in 60th place at The Masters in April.
His recent attempts were less successful, failing to make the cut at both the PGA Championship and U. S.
Open, which is a far cry from the golfer who boasts 82 PGA Tour victories, reports the Mirror US.
Montgomerie voiced particular unease regarding Woods’ attempt at Pinehurst No. 2 last month, where the US Open proved exceptionally challenging, and Woods did not prevail.
Now 61, Montgomerie is concerned that Woods could encounter similar difficulties at Royal Troon during the upcoming 152nd Open. The Scottish golfer suggests that Woods should consider retiring with dignity.
“I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him,” he 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.”
Montgomerie, who knows the difficulty of leaving the game due to his own unfulfilled ambitions, believes it’s time for Woods to retire. The 31-time European Tour winner, one of the best players never to win a major, said he is “realistic” about the situation.”
Aren’t we there?
I’d have thought we were past there,” Montgomerie stated. “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 win. We are more realistic.”
Woods’ career has been plagued by injuries, and a high-speed car crash in 2021 made the challenge of playing four consecutive rounds against the world’s best players even more daunting. He underwent reconstructive ankle surgery, which alleviated some pain but compromised his mobility.
The golf legend finds himself in a vicious cycle of inadequate tournament preparation due to his health issues, leading to performances that don’t match his extraordinary talent.
After missing the cut at Pinehurst, Woods hinted that his retirement might be imminent. “As far as my last Open Championship or US Open Championship, I don’t know what that is. It may or may not be,” he confessed.
Woods continues to show his competitive spirit, pushing through pain to participate in the events he has. However, the world of golf may soon witness the departure of arguably its greatest player from the grand stage.
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Source: New York Post
