Tiger Woods is in peril of lacking the reduce for a 3rd consecutive main championship after admitting he “did not do a variety of issues proper” within the first spherical on the 152nd Open.
When Woods arrived at Royal Troon, he struggled once more within the majors this season, ending final on the Masters after which exiting early at each the PGA Championship and U.S. Open.
The 15-time main winner stated forward of the ultimate males’s main of the 12 months that he would proceed “so long as I can play and really feel like I can nonetheless win” regardless of having little in the way in which of an 8-under 79 Present no indicators of competitors.
Woods has had a restricted enjoying schedule since struggling career-threatening accidents following a automotive accident in February 2021
Woods had two birdies, six bogeys and two double bogeys on the opening day, leaving him 13 strokes behind pacesetter Sean Lowry and leaving him with the daunting job of ending within the open. Certified for the primary time since 2018.
“I did not do a variety of issues proper right now,” Woods stated. “I made that putt on the third gap, after which I believe I made three three-putts right now.
Tiger Woods final made the reduce on the British Open at Carnoustie in 2018
“My iron photographs weren’t very shut and I did not give myself a variety of consideration right now. I have to hit one thing within the mid-60s tomorrow to get going for the weekend.”
Woods threatens to stop early once more
Enjoying alongside Patrick Cantlay and defending PGA champion Xander Schauffele, Woods opened the primary two holes with two-putt pars earlier than sinking a 35-foot putt from the third inexperienced to get into the purple quantity.
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Woods makes birdie putt on third gap at Royal Troon to begin his Open Championship marketing campaign
A protracted three-putt bogey on the par-5 fourth gap, a double bogey on the following par-3 gap, and consecutive flaws on the seventh gap triggered Woods to limp to the activate the fortieth gap.
Woods hit one other wayward shot into the bushes on the par-4 eleventh, leading to one other sixth double-bogey, though he holed out from 7 toes on the twelfth on the next day. A birdie on the par 4 offset a bogey.
A poor tee shot on the par-3 seventeenth noticed him convert from six toes to a bogey-only gap, after which Woods – who acquired a standing ovation as he walked to the ultimate inexperienced – ended one other day. , forgetting the three-shot putt from the again edge on the finish on the par 4.
“My physique feels higher than it did at first of the 12 months,” Woods insisted. “On the finish of final 12 months, issues have been powerful and I did not play too many video games.
“I believe I’ve gotten higher because the 12 months has gone on. I simply want I may have performed somewhat extra, however I have been saving it for the majors simply in case I do one thing fairly Huge issues then take it upon myself to do away with it.
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Woods completed at 8 over and acquired a standing ovation from the Royal Troon crowd as he approached the 18th inexperienced
“Hopefully subsequent 12 months might be somewhat higher than this 12 months. I believed I may play extra video games earlier this 12 months. I believe I used to be somewhat too optimistic. I have to work extra within the health club and proceed to enhance like we did.”
Schauffele: Tigers ‘nonetheless working issues out’
Schauffele is simply three photographs off the lead after an opening-round 69, and the world No. 3 believes Woods continues to be engaged on his bodily skills on the golf course.
“He hit the ball actually strong more often than not,” Schauffele instructed the media after the sport. “He had a pair unhealthy breaks and hit the ball in a few unhealthy locations. It is good that he is enjoying golf.
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Xander Schauffele, who partnered with Woods on the Open on Thursday and Friday, joked that it will be tough to look at his workforce play given the 15-time main champion’s reputation !
“He solely performs within the majors. He is as exhausting on himself as he may be, and I do know he is exhausting on himself. It is actually exhausting. I believe he is simply studying. He is bought to be taught extra about his physique, perceive What he can and can’t do.
“I am certain he’d prefer to be extra ready at dwelling if his physique permits it. I am unsure he will inform you guys about these issues. However now as a tour professional, I sort of know what’s concerned in case your The physique will not can help you do this and I am certain he is engaged on that, so what do it is advisable do.
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Friday, July 19, 6:30 a.m.
Faldo: There is not any method Woods is having fun with this
Sir Nick Faldo stated of Woods on Sky Sports activities commentary: “If he is having enjoyable, that is high quality – it is his world and he has the precise to do no matter he needs.
Woods has had a restricted enjoying schedule since struggling career-threatening accidents following a automotive accident in February 2021
“However he is 48 years outdated now, his physique is in items, he is been enjoying since he was three years outdated… There is not any method, on the finish of the day, he is like, ‘Oh, that was enjoyable, I loved it, how cool it was. An amazing expertise”. He went to bodily remedy earlier than the sport, and I wager he was in remedy for an hour and a half after the sport – we have been seeing this for just a few years.
“How a lot can a tiger take when issues do not go effectively? It is simply one other massive ordeal within the day.”
Who will win the 152nd Open Championship? Watch prolonged protection from this week on Sky Sports activities. Sky Sports activities Golf continues dwell at 6.30am on Friday morning. Live stream the British Open and more top sporting events with NOW.
