Things didn’t turn out at the 150th Open Championship the way millions of golf fans hoped — Tiger Woods struggled once again and missed the 36-hole cut.
As Woods walked off the 18th tee, playing partners Max Homa and Matt Fitzpatrick slowed their pace and let Woods stride the final fairway with them trailing.
The ovation was loud, steady and standing.
As Tiger crossed the Swilcan Bridge, he took off his hat and symbolically waved to the masses. Truth be known, it may have been the last time he crosses the famous bridge in competition.
After shooting 78 on Thursday, Woods once again struggled with the putter and finished with a 75 — nine-over for the championship, nine shots too many to stick around for the weekend.
“I don’t know if I will be physically able to play back here again when it comes back around. I’ll be able to play future Opens, yes, but next time here, I doubt if I’ll be competitive at this level,” Woods said after his emotional march down 18, one that saw him wipe some tears from his eyes.
It may have been his last Open at St. Andrews but not his last Open Championship.
And not his last trip to St. Andrews.
“I’m sure my son will probably want me to come back here and play,” Woods said of his son, Charlie. “I was fortunate enough to have got an honorary membership to The R&A. I have my locker here right when you walk into the left. That’s pretty neat. And because of that I’m able to get a tee time!”
So what’s next for Woods? Apparently the talking heads didn’t know.
One appearance is for sure — all things equal — you’ll see Tiger with son Charlie at the PNC Championship in Orlando in November.
After that, he’ll play in his own Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December.
And that’s it for the Tiger Woods 2022 season.
