Resilience. This is what the legend Tiger Woods has been showing for years now! Although he has not displayed any winning performance so far in the last four years, his fellow golfers still think of him very highly. After all, nobody in this generation has come close to achieving what the GOAT has achieved so far. In a very lucky turn of events, Woods is prepared to tee off at the fourth major of the season.

What makes this interesting is that, for the first time since 2019, the legend will be setting foot on the fourth major course. Woods has been at the center of the stage for decades now, but lately, whispers of his retirement are growing louder. This is not something that the golfer feels for himself, but rather a golf veteran. Colin Montgomerie, a former European Ryder Cup captain, questioned Woods’s motivation and passion for the game, suggesting that the 15-time major winner is no longer the formidable force he once was. But not everyone agrees with Montgomerie’s harsh evaluation, especially the golfer, and the 2024 PGA Championship winner.

Xander Schauffele comes to Tiger Woods’s rescue

In the pre-tournament presser for the 152nd Open, Xander Schauffele pushed back against the criticism, insisting that Woods still has plenty to offer the sport. He respected his words about the legend, saying, “He’s still El Tigre to me. He’s still wearing that red on Sunday. Yeah, I just heard some of those comments that were said by Colin. Whether it’s his honest opinion or not, the game of golf needs him, needs him desperately.”

Schauffele is paired alongside Tiger Woods for the Thursday and Friday rounds. He further acknowledged Colin Montgomerie’s criticisms and emphasized the importance of Woods’s presence in golf. “Selfishly, I want him to play as long as possible. It just helps all of the guys out here, just with the amount of eyeballs that someone like Tiger Woods brings to golf.” Admitting the personal benefit of having Woods on the course, as he believes it draws more attention to the game and encourages other players to perform better.

He admits that Woods can assess his own career trajectory, trusting that he will retire when the time comes. Schauffele backed his words on 82x PGA Tour winner’s competitiveness, saying he has ‘a lot of bite and fight’ left.

Oh well, love him or hate him, Woods arguably remains a titan of golf, and his presence continues to inspire. There always has been a lively debate about Woods’s legacy and his place in the golf world. This time, even the golfer chimed in and took a brutal dig against the Scottish golf veteran. 

Tiger Woods take a jab on Colin Montgomerie, ‘Exempt until 60, Colin’s Not’

Colin Montgomerie’s six-word criticism – “There is none of it now” – sparked a flare in the golf world, particularly when he suggested Tiger Woods should retire from professional golf because he does not seem to enjoy the sport as much as he used to. But the 3x Open Champion fired back at The Open’s press conference and reminded Montgomerie of his legendary status. “I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not,” Woods said, emphasizing his privileged position in the world of professional golf.

He further drove home the point by speaking about his retirement, “He is 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.” Unfazed and confident, Woods declared, “I’ll play as long as I can and feel I can still win the event.”

Xander Schauffele acknowledging Woods’s enduring impact on the sport speaks volumes. Moreover, the legend is charged with confidence and aims to compete at the highest level for as long as he desires. What are your thoughts on the scenario? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.