Woods has the same mantra this week that he has adopted throughout his career. If he is turning up, he believes he has a chance of winning.
The statistics paint a different picture. He missed the cut at both this year’s US Open and US PGA Championship, and while he played all four rounds at the Masters, he finished in 60th – and last – place.
And since winning his 15th major at the 2019 Masters, which broke an 11-year drought in the game’s biggest events, he has either missed the cut, or withdrawn, in eight of the 13 championships he has entered. In the other five, he has not finished inside the top 20.
He has played just nine competitive rounds in 2024, yet he has still attracted the biggest crowds so far this week on the Ayrshire coast.
“I wish I had a little bit more under my belt but I’ve been battling some stuff physically,” he said.
“I want to save it for the majors. I don’t want to burn myself out pre-major and not be able to play.”
Woods, who has won all four majors at least three times, has lifetime exemptions for the US PGA Championship and Masters, and while he had to rely on an invite to play last month’s US Open, he can play The Open until he is 60.
It was a point he was keen to mention when asked about comments made by former European Tour great Colin Montgomerie last week.
The 61-year-old, who lived within a short walk of Royal Troon as a child and learned to play the game here, said: “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.”
In reply, Woods said: “Colin’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt, so he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do.
“So when I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he doesn’t.
“I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event.”
Asked if that belief had wavered during his struggles with injury in recent years, Woods replied: “No.”
Montgomerie has since posted a response to Woods’ comments, writing on X: “If Golf writers want my thoughts on Tiger please ask me direct, rather than taking a quote from an interview out of context. Wishing Tiger an enjoyable and successful week.”
