In pics: Tiger Woods wraps up The Open Championship final practice alongside Maverick McNealy
Tiger Woods will start at a tournament for the final time this year. The Open Championship is the last event he is confirmed to be in for 2024, and he's been hard at work practicing in the days leading up to Thursday's tee time.
With the Open teeing off early tomorrow morning, Woods has completed all the practice he's going to get. The next time he golfs, it will count for his score in the fourth and final Major tournament of the year.
The golf legend was all smiles alongside Maverick McNealy during his final practice run of the week. Fans cheered and recorded his every action, too. Check it out below.
Woods is trying to reverse a poor run of form. He made the cut at The Masters Tournament in April, but his final two rounds marked some of the worst golf he's ever played and he finished dead last. The 48-year-old then missed the cut at both the PGA Championship and the US Open.
Woods said after the US Open via ESPN:
"Well, it's one of those things where in order to win a golf tournament, you have to make the cut. I can't win the tournament from where I'm at, so it certainly is frustrating. I thought I played well enough to be up there in contention. It just didn't work out."
Woods also said that this is likely his last outing since, even if he wins the Open Championship, he won't qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He has played the Hero World Challenge and the PNC Championship in the past, but those are non-PGA Tour events.
Tiger Woods hits back at retirement jab from former golfer
Colin Montgomerie has said in the past that Tiger Woods may want to retire before things get too bad. He's had a rough go in 2024, and the former golfer offered up his unsolicited advice on Woods' situation.
During the Open Championship press conference, Tiger Woods hit back at the idea that he should step away. He said plainly:
“I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event.”
A reporter followed up and asked if his belief in his winning ability had wavered in the last two admittedly challenging years. Woods was resolute in saying no. A reporter then brought up Montgomerie's name into the discussion, referencing what the former golfer had said.
Woods was blunt:
“Well, as a past champion. I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not. He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do.”
Laughter ensued and Woods flashed his signature grin after that remark.