Tiger Woods claps back at Colin Montgomerie's retirement plea with brutal putdown

Tiger Woods couldn't help but respond to Colin Montgomerie's suggestion that he should retire from golf before this week's Open Championship with an absolutely brutal response .

Woods is only playing in his fifth tournament of the year at Royal Troon, as the 15-time major winner continues to play a limited schedule due to ongoing health issues .

In his four tournaments in 2024, Woods has only made the cut once at the Masters and had to pull out of the Genesis Invitational due to illness .

• Rory McIlroy makes sad admission as he realises what he's been missing for last five years

• Amanda Balionis congratulates Robert MacIntyre with emotional post after Scottish Open win

It's clear that the 82-time PGA Tour winner isn't the powerhouse he once was, with increasing doubts about his future as he continues to struggle with various injuries.

The latest person to comment on Woods' career is Montgomerie, who told 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?'."

"He's coming to Troon and he won't enjoy it there either. " Discussing the possibility of Woods retiring, the Scot continued: "Aren't we there? I'd have thought we were past there. 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."

Montgomerie's comments were presented to Woods ahead of this week's event in Ayrshire, and the American golfer responded sharply, pointing out that as a past champion of The Open, he has the right to compete - a privilege Montgomerie never earned.

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here .

"Well, as a past champion, I'm exempt until I'm 60. Colin is not," he stated on Tuesday. "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."

Woods is looking to improve on his previous performances this season, and he spoke positively about his preparation for the final major of the year. "I've been training a lot better. We've been working hard in the gym, which has been good."

"The body has been feeling better to be able to do such things, and it translates into hitting the ball better. Can't quite stay out there during a practice session as long as I'd like, but I'm able to do some things that I haven't done all year, which is nice."

Clearly still confident he can secure another victory, he added: "I'll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event."

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .