Tiger Woods claps back at Colin Montgomerie after veteran golfer suggests he should retire

As the world’s top golfers prepare to shoot it out at Troon this week for the 2024 British Open, legendary PGA Tour player Tiger Woods is readying to win what could be his fourth Open title. Though he hasn’t won a major since 2019 at the Masters, Woods is still showing up to compete – even if some believe he doesn’t stand a chance.

One such golfer is Colin Montgomerie who said in a the Times of London interview last week that Woods should have retired at the 2022 British Open at St. Andrews.

“That was the time,” Montgomerie said. “Stand on that (Swilcan) bridge, start waving, and everyone goes, ‘So, is that it?’ Yeah, it is. 

“It would have been a glorious way to go. The stands were full, the world’s TV cameras—from all continents — were on him, he’s walking up there on his own, tears were in his eyes obviously … you can’t beat that walk.”

Montgomerie, who grew up playing at Troon with his father who was the club secretary, warned the PGA star that he “won’t enjoy” this week’s tournament. At the U.S. Open last month, Woods missed the cut after shooting a 73 in the second round.

“I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him,” Montgomerie said. “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.”

“There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go,’’ he added. “Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”

Woods responds to Montgomerie ahead of British Open

In his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday, Woods responded directly to the comments from Montgomerie. A reporter asked the golfer whether he believes he’s earned the right to play until he says otherwise, to which he responded, “I do.”

“Well, as a past (Open) champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60, Colin’s not,” Woods said. “He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So, he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do. When I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he doesn’t.”

Among Woods’ 15 major titles are three British Open victories. He won at St. Andrews twice, in 2002 and 2005, and at Royal Liverpool in 2006.