Rickie Fowler weighs in on Tiger Woods retirement pleas ahead of The Open

Rickie Fowler has come out swinging in defense of Tiger Woods, asserting t he golf titan still has a lot left to give the game . As the 82-time PGA Tour winner faces scrutiny over his future in the sport just before the Open Championship at Royal Troon, Fowler remains confident that Woods can still compete at the highest levels.

Golf legend Colin Montgomerie previously raised questions about whether it was time for Woods to bow out , noting Woods hasn't shown the form that made him a legend in recent times. Speaking to The Times , Montgomerie said: "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."

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On the subject of retirement, he said: "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."

Amid debates about Woods' longevity in the sport, Fowler stands optimistic. Talking to Mirror Sport on the eve of The Open, Fowler championed his compatriot, declaring: "He still has plenty of good golf in him."

He added: "The game is better when we have him around."

There's no questioning that Woods, with his extraordinary legacy, remains the top draw in the world of golf, attracting massive crowds at Royal Troon during this week's three-time Open Championship. Fowler, a former Ryder Cup colleague, is among those thrilled to see Woods on the course.

"I love being able to have Tiger [here]," Fowler remarked. "He has been trying to continue to make sure he is ready to go, playing the majors and then hopefully a few other events on top of that... I would love to see him continue to stay healthy so he can play a select group of events throughout the year."

Woods, undertaking media engagements before the championship on Tuesday, responded directly to Colin Montgomerie's observations, pointing out an important difference in their eligibility for The Open. "Well, as a past champion, I'm exempt until I'm 60. Colin is not," Woods noted.

"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 set to start his tournament on Thursday, teeing off alongside fellow pros Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele at 9:37 a.m. E.T.