It truly hasn’t been a good year for the 48-year-old. From finishing T60 in the Masters to missing the cut in the next two majors, Tiger Woods has failed to dish out the best for his fans. The trend seems to continue at the fourth major as well, causing the legend to be replaced by other professionals in the featured groupings by R&A TV.

An announcement was made on X regarding the coverage of various groups in the event and was reshared by NUCLR GOLF and TWLEGION. The tweet mentioned how “The Open Championship is snubbing Tiger Woods from featured group coverage on Friday morning following his 1st round 79.”

The 15-time major champ could only register a score of 8-over on the first day of play. Woods did so by carding a total of 2 birdies, 6 bogeys, and 2 double bogeys on Thursday, causing himself to be placed at T138. Consequently, the pro’s group, consisting of himself, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Cantlay was replaced by the likes of Shane Lowry, Cameron Smith & Matt Fitzpatrick, followed by Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, & Cameron Young. This snub did send the golfing world into a frenzy, causing many to mock the 82-time PGA Tour champ.

Fans dub Tiger Woods as ‘not deserving’ to be in a feature group

Colin Montgomerie had, a while back, divulged his thoughts on Woods and his possible retirement from the sport. He did so while comparing the glory of the legend to that of his past and expressing how “there is none of that now.” The senior pro even recounted the athlete’s previous major attempts this season while adding that there is a time for every sportsman to say goodbye. “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, and he won’t enjoy it there either.” Although Tiger Woods did dish out a savage reply in response, an enthusiast, after witnessing the snub, could only side with the 61-year-old pro, “Damn Colin Montgomery was right!”

The 15-time major champ hasn’t had the best of comebacks in the sport. Although he did rake in a total of 82 wins on the PGA Tour, including 15 majors, the last of his victories came in 2019 at the Zozo Championship. Moreover, in the four starts he made this season, the golfer could only make a cut in one of them at Augusta while withdrawing due to an illness at the Genesis Invitational. A fan couldn’t help but point out the same while commenting, “Let’s just be honest here, he doesn’t deserve to be in a featured group. Doesn’t mean we don’t love him, doesn’t mean he’s not still great for golf. But at this moment in time, he doesn’t deserve it.”

Shane Lowry is currently placed at T2 with a score of 5-under, whereas Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick are tied at T11 with a figure of 1-under. Jordan Spieth, meanwhile, is tied with 12 other professionals at T18 with an even-par score, while Cameron Young is at T42. A follower couldn’t hold in his excitement for the Friday groupings as they responded, “I mean to be fair those groups are absolutely awesome.” A couple of other enthusiasts didn’t just express their likes for the groupings but also made a jab at Tiger Woods by reacting along the same lines: “Play better and you’ll be featured,” and “That’s how golf works. The better you play. The better tee times you get.”

Regardless of the reality check that is being dished out by various fans in the sport, there will surely be many who want the golfer to make a comeback on Friday. But it remains to be seen whether such a situation will be possible, especially since the course poses a huge challenge for any golfer with the many bunkers and hazards it boasts.