Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods has encouraged fans ahead of The Open and said he intends to play at St. Andrews despite concerns over the condition of his leg.
Woods played 36 holes at the JP McManus Pro-Am in Limerick this past weekend but used a buggy to get around Adare Manor on both days. The 46-year-old is fortunate to still be able to play after he was involved in a life-threatening car crash in February 2021.
It was confirmed at the time of the California crash that Woods had suffered numerous breaks and fractures to his right leg. That led to fears he would never play again at the top level, but the icon is insistent he remains able to do his in his current state.
“I have gotten a lot stronger since Southern Hills a couple of months ago, but using the buggy here was always a sensible option," said Woods following his latest outing in Ireland. "As far as the duration on my feet goes, let's just try to keep that to a minimum until we have to.
“I still train as hard as I can each and every day, and I'm doing a lot more reps than I have for a while. But I prefer riding in a cart when it’s available. I don’t want to push it too hard with such a big tournament coming up. I'd rather save my legs for next week!”
The golf great added he's set to play a few of Ireland's other links courses before this year's Open Championship gets underway on July 14. Woods has lifted the Claret Jug three times thus far in his career (2000, 2005-06), the first two of which took place at The Home of Golf.
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It's understandable followers might feel apprehensive about Woods' chances considering he's rarely featured on the circuit in recent months. He returned to play after more than a year out at this year's Masters but was forced to withdraw from the PGA Championship in May on the eve of the final round.
Victory at St. Andrews would make him the first to win The Open three times at St. Andrews, moving clear of fellow great Jack Nicklaus, who also won two on the Old Course. Wood isn't sure how much longer his "window of opportunity" will be open to challenge for such honours, but he's eager to make the most of his time.
“I will always be able to play golf - whether it's this leg or someone else's leg, or a false leg, or different body pieces that have been replaced or fused, I'll always be able to play," he added. “Now if you say play at a championship level, well, that window is definitely not as long as I would like it to be.”
