The 152nd Open is fast approaching, and Tiger Woods is preparing to make a return to Royal Troon. However, a particular hole at the course has been a source of frustration for the golf legend for over two decades. Despite his illustrious career, the 48-year-old has never claimed victory at Troon, largely due to his unfortunate performance at the 1997 Open.
Following his first major win at the Masters, Woods had a hopeful start at Troon in 1997 with strong opening rounds. Unfortunately, a final round of 74, including a triple bogey on the challenging ‘Postage Stamp’ par three eighth hole, led to his fall to T24, well behind the tournament winner Justin Leonard.
The ‘Postage Stamp’ hole, standing at a mere 123 yards but surrounded by five menacing bunkers, has been a difficult obstacle for many golfers over the years. Tiger Woods is not alone in his struggle with this challenging hole; other golfing greats like Herman Tissies and Greg Norman have also faced adversity at this particular spot on the course.
Despite his difficulties at Royal Troon, Woods has achieved major victories at other prestigious courses, including St Andrews in 2000 and 2005, as well as Royal Liverpool in 2006. Nevertheless, it has been 18 years since he last secured an Open victory, and his recent performance at the US Open earlier this year, where he failed to make the cut, has prompted speculation about his future in the sport.
Following his disappointing exit from the US Open, Woods expressed his frustration, acknowledging that in order to win a golf tournament, he must first make the cut. He admitted uncertainty about his participation in future championships, stating, “As far as my last Open Championship or U.S. Open Championship, I don’t know what that is. It may or may not be.”
With his last major win at the 2019 Masters, all eyes will be on Tiger Woods as he takes on the challenge of Royal Troon at The Open. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future performances, Woods’ remarkable career and enduring impact on golf ensure that his performance at Troon will be closely followed by fans and critics alike.