Woods experienced a disappointing start at the Open Championship on Thursday, shooting an eight-over-par 79 in his first round at Royal Troon. The legendary golfer, who has clinched 15 major titles, is participating in only his fifth event of the year in Scotland, as he continues to manage various injury issues.
Despite recent setbacks and Colin Montgomerie's suggestion that Woods should retire , the celebrated 82-time PGA Tour champion seems determined to press forward, even if his performance at Royal Troon falls short. He's already discussing his plans for 2025, indicating he still has no intentions of handing up his clubs.
"Hopefully next year will be a little bit better than this year," Woods expressed to the media after his first round. At the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last December, the 48-year-old had expressed hopes of playing monthly this year, following a limited three-tournament run in 2023.
However, this strategy did not pan out as planned, with Woods having participated in five events by July 2024. Reflecting on Thursday's outcome, he conceded that while his goal may have been overly ambitious, he does feel physically improved compared to the start of the season.
"I thought I could play a little bit more earlier in the year. I think I was a little bit too optimistic. I need to do a lot more work in the gym and keep progressing like we have," he remarked. "I'm physically feeling a lot better than I did at the beginning of the year.
"At the end of last year, it was tough, and I haven't played a whole lot. I think that, as the year has gone on, I have gotten better. I just wish I could have played a little bit more, but I've been saving it for the majors just in case I do something pretty major and then take myself out of it."
Woods will undoubtedly be aiming for a stronger performance after Thursday's showing, leaving himself a significant amount of work to do on day two to ensure he makes the weekend. The three-time Open champion made six bogeys and two double bogeys, which negated his two birdies of the day at the third and 13th.
Detailing exactly how his afternoon unfolded, he commented: "I didn't do a whole lot of things right today. I made that putt on the 3rd hole, and then I think I had, what, three 3-putts today.
"I didn't hit my irons very close, and I didn't give myself a whole lot of looks today. I need to shoot something in the mid-60s tomorrow to get something going on the weekend." Woods' will resume action at 9:25 a.m. BST (4:25 a.m. E.T) in the second round on Friday.
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