Tiger Woods is at risk of a 3rd consecutive missed minimize at a serious after admitting he ‘didn’t do an entire lot proper’ throughout a gap spherical to overlook in The 152nd Open.
Woods arrived at Royal Troon having struggled once more within the majors this season, ending final of those that made the minimize at The Masters earlier than making early exits at each the PGA Championship and US Open.
The 15-time main champion mentioned forward of the ultimate males’s main of the 12 months that he would proceed to “play as long as I can play and feel like I can still win”, though confirmed little indicators of contending throughout a eight-over 79 on a breezy Thursday afternoon.
Woods has performed a restricted schedule since career-threatening accidents in a automotive crash in February 2021
Woods combined two birdies with six bogeys and two double-bogeys on the opening day, leaving himself 14 strokes behind early chief Daniel Brown and leaving him with an uphill job to make his first minimize at The Open since 2018.
“I didn’t do a whole lot of things right today,” Woods mentioned. “I made that putt on the third gap after which I believe I had three three-putts right now.
Tiger Woods final made the minimize at The Open throughout the 2018 contest at Carnoustie
“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 threatens one other early exit
Taking part in alongside Patrick Cantlay and reigning PGA champion Xander Schauffele, Woods opened with two-putt pars over the primary two holes earlier than draining a 35-footer from off the third inexperienced to maneuver into purple figures.
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Woods will get his Open Championship underway with an enormous birdie putt on the third gap at Royal Troon
A protracted-range three-putt bogey on the par-five fourth was adopted by a double-bogey on the par-three subsequent, with back-to-back blemishes from the seventh seeing Woods limp to the flip in 40.
Woods needed to take a drop after a wayward drive into the bushes on the par-four eleventh, leading to one other double-bogey six, though he cancelled out a bogey on the twelfth by holing from seven ft to birdie the par-four subsequent.
A poor tee shot on the par-three seventeenth left him changing from six ft to go away the opening with only a bogey, earlier than Woods – who acquired a standing ovation as he walked to the ultimate inexperienced – signed off one other day to overlook by three-putting from the again fringe on the par-four final.
“I’m physically feeling a lot better than I did at the beginning of the year,” Woods insisted. “At the end of last year, it was tough and I haven’t played a whole lot.
“I believe that, because the 12 months has gone on, I’ve gotten higher. I simply want I might have performed a little bit bit extra, however I have been saving it for the majors simply in case I do one thing fairly main after which take myself out of it.
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Woods finishes eight over par and receives a standing ovation from the Royal Troon crowd when approaching the 18th inexperienced
“Hopefully next year will be a little bit better than this year. 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.”
Schauffele: Tiger ‘nonetheless attempting to determine issues out’
Schauffele obtained inside three strokes of the lead after an opening-round 69, with the world No 3 believing that Woods remains to be attempting to work out what he his bodily able to across the golf course.
“He hit it pretty solid for the most part,” Schauffele informed the media post-round. “He had a few unhealthy breaks and hit it in a few unhealthy spots. Simply glad he is taking part in golf.
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Xander Schauffele is paired with Woods on Thursday and Friday at The Open and jokes will probably be laborious to observe his group play with how well-liked the 15-time main champion is!
“He’s only playing major championships. He’s making it as hard on himself as possible and I know he’s hard on himself too. It’s just hard. I think he’s just learning. He’s got to learn a little bit more about his body, what he can and can’t do.
“I am positive he’d prefer to prep extra at house if his physique would permit it. I am undecided he tells you guys these things or not. However as a tour professional now, I type of know what goes into it and what must be performed to play at a excessive stage. In case your physique will not be letting you do it, it is simply irritating. I am positive he is attempting to determine that out.”
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Faldo: There isn’t a manner Woods is having fun with this
Sir Nick Faldo, talking about Woods on commentary for Sky Sports activities, mentioned: “If he is enjoying himself, then fine – it’s his world and his right to do whatever he wants to do.
Woods has performed a restricted schedule since career-threatening accidents in a automotive crash in February 2021
“But he’s 48 now, his body is shattered and he has played since the age of three… there is no way, at the end of the day, he goes, ‘oh, that was fun, I enjoyed that, what a great experience’. He goes to physio before the round, I bet he’s got another hour and a half after it – it’s got to hurt. And we’ve been seeing it for a couple of years now.
“How a lot can Tiger face up to when it is simply not going effectively? It is simply one other mighty grind of a day.”
Who will win The 152nd Open? Watch extended coverage this week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday from 6.30am on Sky Sports Golf. Stream The Open and extra prime sport with NOW.
