Open speculation if Woods will return to Home of Golf

ST ANDREWS, Scotland : Missing the cut at The Open, Tiger Woods walked over the Swilcan Bridge, where so many legends have said farewell to the sport, took off his cap and tearfully acknowledging the crowd leaving a golfing cliff-hanger that is unlikely to be answered soon.

Was that Woods' final competitive round on the Old Course, the layout on which he won two of his three Claret Jugs and which he calls his all-time favourite?

'Wait and see' was the 46-year-old American's answer, a response that was more realistic than evasive.

"I've been coming here since 1995, and I don't know when - I think the next one comes around in what, 2030 - and I don't know if I will be physically able to play by then," he said.

"So to me it felt like this might have been my last British Open here at St Andrews.

"I'm not retiring from the game. But I don't know if I will be physically able to play back here again when it comes back around."

If it was Woods' last round at the Home of Golf, it came to a rousing finish as he walked up the a sun-bathed 18th with the massive gallery cheering and bagpipes crying in the distance.

The flashing on the grandstand read "Everything Has Led To This" and although the message was referring to The Open's 150 anniversary it could have just as easily been put there for Woods.

A child prodigy who has gone onto become the greatest golfer of his generation winning 15 majors, Woods' return to St Andrews may well be remembered as a pivotal moment in a remarkable career.

Grinding his way through a torturous comeback from a 2021 car crash that nearly resulted in the loss of his right leg, Woods' return to competitive golf has been inspiring if only for his utter refusal to accept the limits of his injuries.

But a week on