Tiger Woods insists he CAN still make the cut at the Open and is targeting a second round 66 after opening with a shocking 78… while the 15-time Major winner praises the unwavering support of St Andrews fans
- Tiger Woods struggled for an opening 78 in the first round of the 150th Open
- The 15-time Major winner never recovered from a nightmare start at St Andrews
- His six-over-par 78 took more than six hours to compete on Thursday
Tiger Woods aimed for a second round of 66 to make it halfway to the 150th Open after battling to a 78 opening at St Andrews.
Returning to the scenes of two of his three Open wins, Woods carded three birdies, five bogeys and two double bogeys in a round that lasted six hours and eight minutes.
The 15-time Major winner never recovered from a nightmare start where he hit his approach to first from a fairway divot into the Swilcan Burn off the green.
Tiger Woods carded three birdies, five bogeys and two double bogeys in a round that lasted six hours and eight minutes
“Probably the highest score I could have scored,” said the 46-year-old. “He hit a good tee shot, landed right in the middle of a fresh divot and I hit a good shot. Gusts of wind hit it, ending in the burn and starting with a double.
“I think I had maybe four or five three-putts today. Just wasn’t very good on the greens. And I missed every putt. I struggled to hit the putts hard enough.
“The greens were very firm but slow and it’s an interesting combination. And we weren’t exactly speed demons out there either. The whole round took a long time and we were waved. And it’s been a long, slow day.’
Woods praised the unwavering support from the crowd and admitted it was “very, very meaningful” to be able to play the Old Course again after the serious injuries he sustained in a car accident last February.
The 15-time Major winner never recovered from a nightmare start where he hit the water on approach to first
“All in all I was hoping to play this event this year,” he added.
“Earlier this year, late last year, when I was in rehab trying to see if I could make it, somehow between then and now I was able to play two of the big championships, which has been great.
“But that was always on the calendar to hopefully be good enough to play it. And I am. And just didn’t do it very well.
“Looks like I’ll have to turn 66 tomorrow to have a chance (to make the cut). Obviously it’s done, the guys did it today and tomorrow it’s my responsibility to go ahead and do it. Gotta do it.’
The American is still dealing with the consequences of the car accident in February last year
