Tearful Tiger Woods accepts he is unlikely to play another Open at St Andrews

A tearful Tiger Woods bade a likely farewell to St Andrews but promised he would be back to play in The Open.

The famously stoic 46-year-old was visibly moved by the reception he received as he walked down the 18th fairway of the Old Course – where he has won two of his three Claret Jugs.

He and the thousands of fans who lined both sides of the fairway already knew he would miss the cut, lying nine over par, and with the event unlikely to return to the Scottish venue for some time – even though St Andrews is the only Open course which enjoys a five-year rotation – the 15-time major knew the significance of the moment.

“It’s very emotional for me. I’ve been coming here since 1995 and I don’t know when the next one comes around if I will be physically able to play by then,” said the American, who after numerous back and knee problems almost had to have his right leg amputated after a car crash last year.

“So to me it felt like this might have been my last British Open here at St Andrews and the ovation and the warmth was an unbelievable feeling.

“I feel like I will be able to play future British Opens, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to play that long enough that when it comes back around here. Will I still be playing?

Next year’s event is at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake – where Woods won his other Claret Jug in 2006.

A quirk of scheduling meant Woods’ farewell felt like a specific point in time and the final transition from old to new.

I feel like I will be able to play future British Opens, but I don't know if I'll be able to play that long enough that when it comes back around here- Tiger Woods on his chances of playing St Andrews again

While he was taking in the applause down the last, major winners Rory McIlroy (33)