Emotional Woods bids farewell to St. Andrews

It’s not often we see an emotional Tiger Woods. But even the hardest of players couldn’t keep a dry eye walking down the 18th hole of St Andrews in what is likely to be the final round of their major career at this course.

Woods’ return to major golf for the first time since his third round withdrawal at the PGA Championship in May, proved to be more of the same for the ageing superstar.

Tiger Woods farewells St Andrews (Credit: R&A)

Injuries sustained to his body in a near-death car crash last year have clearly taken a toll on the 15-time major champion’s body with the long-time World No.1 struggling to rounds of 78 and 75 for a 9-over total of 153 to finish near the back of the field.

“It’s very emotional for me. I’ve been coming here since 1995, and I don’t know when — I think the next one comes around in what, 2030 — and I don’t know if I will be physically able to play by then,” said Woods.

“So to me it felt like this might have been my last British Open here at St Andrews. And the fans, the ovation and the warmth, it was an unbelievable feeling. I understand what Jack and Arnold had gone through in the past. I was kind of feeling that way there at the end.”

“The warmth and the ovation at 18, it got to me. And I felt the guys stop there off the tee on 18, and it was just incredible. I looked over, and Rory gave me a tip of the cap. J.T. did the same.”

While Woods has likely played his final round at St Andrews, the 46-year-old believes he has more majors left to play. However, that will now have wait until next year.

Woods will now take an extended break from the PGA Tour before making a possible return at his own hero World Challenge in December.