The Open: Tiger Woods Misses Cut as Cameron Smith Leads 150th Championship at St Andrews
It was an emotional scene for Tiger Woods as he wiped tears off his face and was cheered the full length of the 18th hole on Friday on what he says “feels like my last time” playing the Old Course in an Open Championship.
No matter that the former world number one was about to miss the halfway cut at the landmark 150th staging of the world’s oldest major, the standing ovation was recognition of his standing in the game.
Woods has won two of his three Claret Jugs at the revered St Andrews venue and skipped last month’s US Open to ensure he would be fit to play his favourite course this week.
The 46-year-old did not say it would be his final Open Championship, but added: “I came to understand what Jack [Nicklaus] and Arnold [Palmer] felt in the past and I felt that way. They understand what golf is all about and what it takes to be an Open champion.
“I have been lucky enough to win here twice – it felt emotional because I don’t know whether I will be able to play when it comes back here.”
The Open usually returns to St Andrews every five years, which would make the next one in 2027, although an official announcement is yet to be made.
Woods finished with a three-over-par 75 for a nine-over total, 22 shots adrift of clubhouse leader Cameron Smith.
The Australian had six birdies and an eagle in an eight-under-par 64 as he improved to 13 under at halfway.
This article was first published by Peter Scrivener on BBC
