The ovation played the soundtrack for the entire long walk of the big winner 15 times down the 18th Fairway Fairway, while a visibly emotional Woods, who took off his hat to greet the reception, wiped the tears.
It remains to be seen if one of golf’s biggest icons has played his last professional shot at one of the sport’s most iconic venues, but if that was to be a goodbye, then it was a fitting farewell.
“The fans, the ovation and the warmth, it was an amazing feeling,” Woods told reporters.
“As I got closer to the green … the ovation got louder, you could feel the warmth and you could feel the people on both sides. I felt like the whole tournament was right there.”
Returning to play on his favorite field had been the 46-year-old player’s main goal during the grueling recovery process he has suffered since a car accident in February 2021 left him with serious leg injuries.
Three-time Open champion, two-time winner at St. Andrews, any hope of Woods lifting a fourth Fairy Tale Claret Jug was shattered soon after a difficult first round left him tied at 146th on his return to the clubhouse and 14 drifting shots. of the leader.
It made him need a miracle to make the cut and extend his potential farewell tour until the weekend. Despite an improved second-round performance, a series of agonizingly short putts extinguished any chance of a legendary comeback when he finished nine above par.
In statements on the eve of the event, Woods, while stating that he felt “much stronger,” had been sincere in accepting the new limits of his body. After retiring from the PGA Championship in May, he completed his rounds at St. Paul’s flatter field. Andrews, however, could be seen limping during parts of Friday’s session.
And since the Open couldn’t return to the “home of golf” until 2030, Woods admitted he could have played his last Open on the venue.
“I won’t retire from the game, but I don’t know if I will be able to physically play here again when I get back,” Woods said.
“I will be able to play the future British Opens, yes, but in eight years, I doubt if I will be competitive at this level.
“Life goes on, and I think that’s what people understand. This year they knew my circumstances, just play, period. I was very lucky to have a great team around me to take me where I was physically able to play three times this year and I am very grateful to all of them for bringing me to this place. “
Fanfare
With an estimated 290,000 spectators around the Old Course this week, for much of the first two days of the event, it felt like most of them were following Woods across the field, such was the fanfare wherever anava.
The crowd crowded behind the ropes whenever he was on the tee, with three Woods fans especially enthusiastic dressed from head to toe in Tiger costumes. Although he only shot four birds in the first two rounds, each came across a roar from the crowd that suggested he was fighting again at the top of the standings.
His level of respect among his teammates was also evident, with Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas coming down the first adjacent tee as Woods walked to 18th, they both tilted their caps as he passed.
Earlier, world number 1 Scottie Scheffler said he hoped he hadn’t seen the last of Woods in St. Louis. Andrews.
“He’s a pretty tough guy and he loves to compete,” he told reporters.
“We’ll see what awaits us in the coming years. Every time you see that guy on the golf course, especially The Old Course, it’s very special.
“For us, as players, having him around is great. When he crashed his car, I didn’t know if we would return him. Just having him here playing golf is very special for all of us.”