Tiger Woods’ awkward crowd chant at The Open that targeted Colin Montgomerie

Tiger Woods is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, but Colin Montgomerie suggested that the 15-time major champion should retire from the sport

(Image: Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL via Getty Images)

Tiger Woods received backing from fans to defy Colin Montgomerie’s claims that he should retire from golf at The Open Championship. Despite being widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, Woods has faced numerous challenges in recent years due to injuries.

The 49-year-old is absent from The Open this week while recovering from an Achilles rupture he sustained in March. His last PGA Tour appearance was at the major in 2024, held at Scotland’s Royal Troon Golf Club.

Due to fitness issues, Woods had only competed in four tournaments before participating in the major last year. Nevertheless, the crowd supported him as he began his first round, with chants of “prove Monty wrong” audible as Woods prepared for his first tee shot.

The fans were reacting to Montgomerie’s comments about Woods’ future before The Open Championship. The 62-year-old suggested that it was time for Woods to step away from the sport.

He told The Times: “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him. There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he did not seem to enjoy a single shot, and you think, ‘What the hell is he doing?’”

Colin Montgomerie suggested that Tiger Woods was coming to the end of his golf career

Earlier, Woods had stated his intention to retire from golf when he was no longer competitive in tournaments. Montgomerie responded by saying: “Aren’t we there? I’d have thought we were past there.”

He added: “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.”

However, when questioned by the media about Montgomerie’s opinion, Woods clapped back at the Scot, who has not won a major tournament. The legendary golfer stated: “Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not.

The 49-year-old has not featured in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event since The Open last year(Image: Getty Images)

“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.”

Despite such confidence, Woods shot disappointing rounds of 79 and 77 and missed the cut in what remains his last appearance at a PGA Tour-sanctioned event.