Tiger Woods Should Retire, Says Golf Hall of Famer Colin Montgomerie

Erika Hilpert
July 14, 2024 05:03am
195

Colin Montgomerie believes it's time for Tiger Woods to hang up his clubs, citing his recent struggles and lack of competitiveness.

Tiger Woods has endured a difficult period since his 2019 Masters triumph, failing to secure a top-20 finish in 13 subsequent majors. The legendary golfer has participated in only nine events since the 2022 Masters, and next week's Open Championship at Royal Troon will mark his final tournament of the year.

Golf Hall of Famer Colin Montgomerie has expressed his belief that it's time for Woods to retire, citing his lack of competitiveness and diminished enjoyment of the game. "Aren't we there? I'd have thought we were past there," Montgomerie told The Times of London. "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."

Tiger Woods Should Retire, Says Golf Hall of Famer Colin Montgomerie

Montgomerie noted that Woods "did not seem to enjoy a single shot" at the U.S. Open and predicted that he wouldn't enjoy the final major of the season either. The Scotland native believes that Woods should have retired at the Open two years ago, when he walked up to the bridge with tears in his eyes. "That was the time. Stand on that bridge, start waving, and everyone goes, ‘So, is that it?’ ‘Yeah, it is.’ It would have been a glorious way to go," Montgomerie said.

Woods, 48, has not made the cut at the Open since finishing tied for sixth in 2018. There was no Open in 2020, and he missed the 2021 and 2023 events. When asked if last month's U.S. Open, where he missed the cut, was his last, Woods gave a murky response: "I don't know. … It may or may not be."

Tiger Woods Should Retire, Says Golf Hall of Famer Colin Montgomerie

Montgomerie's call for Woods to retire has sparked a debate among golf fans and pundits. Some believe that Woods should continue playing as long as he enjoys the game and is competitive, while others argue that it's time for him to step away and preserve his legacy.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to retire is Woods' alone. However, Montgomerie's comments highlight the concerns that many in the golf world have about Woods' recent struggles and his ability to continue competing at the highest level.