Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion and three-time Open Championship winner, has started his preparations for the 152nd Open Championship with an 18-hole practice round at Royal Troon Golf Club. Woods, who arrived from Florida, spent Sunday working on his chipping and putting, particularly focusing on the deep pot bunkers around the greens.
Woods, 48, looked strong during his practice round, accompanied by his caddie, Lance Bennett. While Tony Finau, Lucas Glover, and Jason Day played ahead of him, Woods chose to walk the course alone. Notably, Justin Thomas, Woods’ usual practice round partner, was competing in the Genesis Scottish Open.
This marks Woods’ first tournament at Royal Troon since he tied for ninth in the 2004 Open Championship. He missed the 2016 tournament due to a back injury. Recently, Woods has struggled in major tournaments, missing the cut or withdrawing in five of his past six starts. His last appearance was at the U.S. Open in June, where he missed the cut by two strokes. Despite making the cut at the Masters in April, he finished last among those who made it, with a total of 16-over 304, his worst 72-hole score in a professional event.
Woods has announced that the Open Championship will be his final competitive tournament this year, as he has played in only four PGA Tour events this season. He acknowledged that even a victory at the Open would not qualify him for the FedEx Cup playoffs.
The Open Championship begins on Thursday, and Woods hopes to improve on his recent performances.
Be First to Comment