Tiger Woods did not stop on the famous Swilcan Bridge in 2022 – but he might yet say goodbye in two years’ time.
That is because The Open Championship will return to The Old Course at St Andrews in 2027.
5
There was not a dry eye in the house as Woods crossed the Swilcan Bridge in 2022Credit: Getty
5
Woods, who rarely shows emotion, was overcome by the magnitude of the occasionCredit: Getty
The R&A has confirmed the Home of Golf will host the game’s oldest competition for a record-extending 31st time, restoring its normal five-year cycle.
Back in 2022, many believed it would be the last time Woods graced the iconic Scottish fairways.
Speaking before the event, having miraculously recovered from a near-fatal car crash months prior, he said: “It is my favourite [golf course].
“I don’t know how many Open Championships I have left here at St Andrews, but I wanted this one.
“It started here for me in 1995, and if it ends here in 2022, it does.”
Then 46 and desperately struggling with injuries, the 15-time major-winner was given the perfect opportunity to say goodbye.
His predecessor, Jack Nicklaus, stopped on the 18th’s famous Swilcan Bridge and waved farewell to The Open in 2005, giving the game one of its most enduring images.
But Woods, walking down the 18th and guaranteed to miss the cut in 2022, chose not to stop.
The American tipped his cap to the thousands of adoring fans and broke down in tears as he arrived at the green.
In a truly poignant moment, his most famous disciple, Rory McIlroy, was walking up the adjacent first fairway, almost symbolically collecting the torch as it was passed.
5
It was a scene reminiscent of Jack’s farewell – but Woods did not break strideCredit: Getty
5
Golf legends and the Swilcan Bridge go hand-in-hand – with 33 golf majors in this one photoCredit: Getty
Speaking afterwards, Woods refused to confirm it was his last competitive appearance at The Old Course, but he did express concern that it would not play host again until 2030.
“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.’’
Usually, the timing of The Open’s next trip to The Old Course would be obvious due to the five-year tradition – but 2022 threw a spanner in the works.
The five-year cycle was broken in 2020 so St Andrews could host the 150th edition of The Open.
It left the R&A with a choice: keep the five-year cycle from 2027 onwards, or go back to The Old Course in 2030 to restore the previous pattern of hosting every year ending in zero or five.
St Andrews winners at The Open since 1990YearWinner1990Sir Nick Faldo (-18)1995John Daly (-6)2000Tiger Woods (-19)2005Tiger Woods (-14)2010Louis Oosthuizen (-16)2015Zach Johnson (-15)2022Cam Smith (-20)
5
Cam Smith beat McIlroy in dramatic circumstances in 2022Credit: Getty
As a result of Thursday’s announcement, Woods now has the chance to play at a St Andrews Open aged 50, three years earlier than he anticipated.
The great man always moves heaven and earth to compete at the Home of Golf – and if he is fit to play in 2027 – that could well be the last time.
New R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said: “I’m looking forward to The Open’s return to St Andrews every bit as much as the fans and the players.
“There is something incredibly special about The Open being played on the Old Course and so many of the great champions have walked these fairways since the first staging.
“St Andrews generates a unique atmosphere for the fans and the players as well as providing an amazing spectacle on television and digitally for millions of viewers around the world.”
Woods is expected to compete in all four majors in 2025 after undergoing yet another surgery in the summer of 2024.
Golf legend Tiger Woods can only laugh after hilarious shot hits flag at TGL
The 49-year-old recently teed it up at the PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie, and at the TGL – his new simulator golf league project.
Speaking in December, Woods said he was not yet ‘tournament sharp’ ahead of a possible return to action at the Genesis Invitational in mid-February.
“I’m just progressively trying to test it, keep making progress without setting it off,” Woods said.
“I don’t want to have any setbacks, just want to keep making progress and give myself the best chance going into next year as possible.
“I feel like I’m getting stronger, I’m getting more pliable, but I’ve got a long way to go to be able to compete against these guys.”
