One Ryder Cup legend thinks it’s time for Tiger Woods to give into Father Time and retire.
Colin Montgomerie, who climbed as high No. 2 in the world golf rankings at the peak of his career in 1996, called on the injury-plagued Woods to realize that his days of winning tournaments are finished.
Woods is set to play in the British Open on an exemption for past champions later this week.
“Aren’t we there? I’d have thought we were past there,” Montgomerie told The Times of London. “There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go. Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”
Woods is a 15-time major winner, including three British Opens (2002, 2005 and 2006).
He has won just one major (the Masters in 2019) since 2008, however, and his most recent tournament win – the record-tying 82nd of his career – occurred in October 2019.
Woods missed the cut last month at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina. More so, he looked to be in pain as he shot and moved around the course.
“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 (for the British Open) and he won’t enjoy it there either.”
Montgomerie, 61, has never won a major – he finished second to Woods at St. Andrews in 2005 – but rode his undefeated record in singles matches at the Ryder Cup into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
He still plays on the PGA Tour Champions for golfers over age 50.
Woods, 48, once was considered a lock to pass Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major victories but has been undone by chronic back pain, injuries to his right leg suffered during a 2021 car crash and last year’s ankle surgery.
He has played in just four events in 2024, including the first three majors.
Montgomerie thinks Woods should have retired after missing the cut at the British Open in 2022.
“That was the time,” Montgomerie said. “Stand on that 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.”
