Tiger Woods took off his cap a few steps from the legendary Swilcan Bridge, knowing full well that this might be his last time at the British Open in St. Andrews.
It was at this moment that he stopped, posed and greeted the spectators.
“Stop! Stop! exclaimed desperately a photographer who was trying to immortalize this historic moment in the cradle of golf.
Woods resumed his walk, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“That’s when I started to realize — in fact, I started thinking about it — that the next time the tournament is here, I probably won’t be there,” Woods said. .
He assured that it will not be his last British Open. Woods just doesn’t know if his body, battered by numerous surgeries to both his legs and back, will be able to hold up the next time the prestigious tournament takes place in St. Andrews. Woods mentioned 2030. The R&A (Royal & Ancient) did not specify their rotation until then.
This moment was still special.
Woods greeted the thousands of spectators in the stands to his left, the thousands more watching him from the balconies and rooftops of the buildings that ring the old course, some of them watching through a window, or still those who did not have tickets for the event, but who climbed the security fence installed near the fairway of the 18th hole.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy watched him from the first hole fairway — he was entering his second round as Woods shot 75 (plus-3) and missed qualifying for the weekend rounds — and the saluted, raising his cap.
“Everybody’s hoping it’s not the end of his career on the old course,” McIlroy said. I believe he deserves — in fact, we deserve — to have another opportunity (to get the title here in St. Andrews). »
Justin Thomas was on the first tee and looked over at Woods.
“As I approached the green, the ovation got louder and louder,” Woods said. I could feel the benevolence, the kindness of people on both sides. I felt like time had stopped. »
It could have been.
It was there that he won his first British Open in 2000, becoming the youngest golfer to complete the Grand Slam in his career. He added another ‘claret jug’ to his collection at St. Andrews in 2005, the year Jack Nicklaus bid farewell to the majors.
Prior to the start of the tournament, Woods called the old course “historic”, adding that it is his “favorite”. These glowing comments did not fall on deaf ears.
“People knew I couldn’t avoid the ax,” Woods said. But the ovations grew louder as I got closer to the 18th green. And that, to me, was… respect. I have always respected this tournament. I have always respected the traditions of this sport. »
“I always gave everything I had at this tournament over the years,” he added. And I think people enjoyed my game.”
Woods, however, couldn’t give them many chances to celebrate in the first two rounds. Trouble caught up with Woods on Thursday’s first hole, when he sent his ball into the ‘Swilcan Burn’ water hazard. He double-bogeyed and finished the round at plus-6 (78).
But whatever. The standing ovation he received as he finished his second round will forever be etched in his memory.
“I’m very moved,” admitted the 46-year-old American. I feel like it was my last British Open in St. Andrews. And the spectators, the ovation and their kindness, it was an incredible feeling. I now understand what Jack (Nicklaus) and Arnold (Palmer) went through in the past. That’s how I felt towards the end. »
A first since 2012
Defending tournament champion Collin Morikawa suffered the same fate as Woods.
The American, who triumphed last year at Royal St. George’s, concluded his first two rounds with a cumulative score of plus-1 (145). He missed qualifying for the weekend rounds by just one stroke.
Morikawa became the first defending champion to be unable to avoid the ax the following year since Darren Clarke in 2012. Clarke had also won his only major career title at Royal St. George’s.
Things were much more favorable for Cameron Smith, who set the tone for the weekend by turning in a 64 (minus-8) after the second round to build a two-stroke lead in lead, at minus-13 overall.
“It’s obviously a favorable position,” Smith said. I feel like I’ve often found myself in this kind of posture over the past few years, without ever really being able to complete the job. »
The Aussie started his round with three straight birdies. He had two more before recording an eagle on the par-5 14th hole.
Smith is competing at the British Open for the fifth time in his career. His best result was a tie for 20th in 2019, at Portrush. And his best result in a Grand Slam tournament came at the Masters Tournament; he finished tied for second in 2020, and tied for third in 2022 at Augusta National.
The leader at the start of the day, Cameron Young, remained in the hunt for the title by returning a card of 69 (under-3), two shots behind Smith.
McIlroy shot 68, and tied for third at 10 under (134) with Norway’s Viktor Hovland (66).
“I have to get back out there and play my way for the next two days, that’s all I can control,” McIlroy said. If Cam Smith returns to the field and plays two more rounds like the ones he just recorded, then I will have a very hard time winning this tournament. I have to go back out there, do my best, focus on myself and hope it’s enough (to win). »
American Dustin Johnson posted a 67 and completes the top-5 at 9 under.
Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., was the only Canadian golfer to avoid the ax. He played 71 and is at 2-under (142) after 36 holes.