Tiger Woods had his Open hopes trashed by Sir Nick Faldo despite impressing pal Justin Thomas in practice.
The 15-time Major champion played 18 holes over the Old Course yesterday with US compatriot Thomas. Woods, 46, got up and down for par from the Road Hole bunker and drove the 18th green for a birdie back at St Andrews, where he has won twice.
But three-time Open champion Faldo was dismissive of Wood’s chances after watching him at the JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor in Ireland, where he finished tied-19th and 17 strokes behind winner Xander Schauffele. Faldo questioned if 82-time PGA Tour winner Woods might even look to call time on his incredible career at the 150th Open after injuring his leg in a car crash last February.
Asked about Woods’ hopes of challenging for victory, Faldo replied: "I don't think there's chances, no. "Physically, he played at Adare Manor and was in a cart for a couple of days to rest the leg.
“The physical challenge is just walking a golf course and even though St Andrews looks flat, there's so many twisting undulations walking that course, it's going to be physically really hard work for him. Even if Tiger was fit and strong, he doesn't play much.
“Who knows what we're going to get from Tiger, where he mentally is and what he's thinking. If you're going to retire then this is the place to retire, but is it too early?"
Woods has made just two official starts since suffering career-threatening injuries to his leg and ankle last February, two months on from back surgery for a fifth time. He withdrew after three rounds of the PGA Championship in May and sat out last month's US Open in Brookline due to injury.
But the three-time Open champion walked a second successive 18 holes over the Old Course on Sunday after previously taking his putter and a wedge out the night before. He spent five hours with Thomas playing and experimenting with lots of shots to various potential tricky pin positions.
Thomas, 29, insisted: “His swing still looks as good as ever, it does. Would I be surprised if he challenged this week? No. I’ve learned better than to challenge anything about him.”
In his prime Woods blazed to emphatic victories over the Old Course in 2000 and 2005 with totals of 19-under and 14-under. Thomas has now been trying to get Woods’ secrets on how to play St Andrews.
“I’ve been picking his brains a little bit," Thomas added. "I understand that he’s going to be a little withholding of some information. But I’m trying to needle it out of him and get as much as I can because he’s done pretty well around this place.”
Woods is due to play today (Monday) in the R&A Celebration of Champions with Rory McIlroy, Georgia Hall and Lee Trevino. Woods said, “This is going to be a special week of golf, and having many of the sport’s great champions and future stars play in this event is a great way to mark this historic championship.
"St Andrews has such a unique atmosphere and holds fantastic memories for me."
