Tiger Woods' call out forces Colin Montgomerie to eat his words about the 15-time major champion’s retirement
Veteran golfer Colin Montgomerie was forced to eat his words about Tiger Woods' retirement following the 15-time Major winner's response to the Scot's statement. In a recent interview with The Times, Montgomerie stated that it's time for Woods to put down his golf clubs and officially retire from the sport.
Tiger Woods has been struggling with his game for a while and has only competed in a handful of events following his 2021 car accident. However, he remains committed to competing in Majors.
As Woods has not been in good form, Colin Montgomerie stated it was time for Tiger to retire. The Scot said via The Times:
"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?'"
However, Colin Montgomerie recently seemed to make a U-turn after Woods adressed his claim in a press conference. Montgomerie asked golf writers to contact him directly if they wanted to know his views on Tiger Woods rather than highlighting his statement from the interview. The Scottish golfer wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account:
"If Golf Writers want my thoughts on Tiger please ask me direct, rather than taking a quote from an interview out of context. Wishing Tiger an enjoyable and successful week."
Tiger Woods is slated to tee off at The Open Championship, which is scheduled to start on July 18. During a press conference for the Major, Woods had a reply to Colin Montgomerie's statement on his retirement.
Tiger Woods shuts Colin Montgomerie with a savage reply
Tiger Woods is gearing up for the upcoming Major this week and attended a press conference on Tuesday, July 16 prior to the event. During the conference, reporters asked for his response to Colin Montgomerie's comments about his retirement.
In response, Woods flaunted his achievements as a three-time winner of The Open Championship, emphasizing his exemption to compete until he turns 60.
"I'm exempt until I'm 60. Colin is not."
Notably, Colin Montgomerie has won 31 European Tour events, the fourth-highest number in the series history, but he has not won any Majors.
Woods further addressed Montgomerie's statements, adding:
"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."
Tiger Woods is confident in his game and clearly stated that he will play for as long as possible:
"I'll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event."
The Open Championship 2024 will start this week on Thursday, July 18. Woods will be playing in the Major for the first time since 2022.