In an interview with The UK’s Times published last week, Montgomerie suggested that it was time for Woods to hang up his golf clubs amid battles with injury and form.
“I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him,” said Montgomerie. “There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he did not seem to enjoy a single shot and you think, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ He’s coming to Troon and he won’t enjoy it there either.”
When it was put to him that Woods has said he will retire when he feels he is no longer competitive, Montgomerie added: “Aren’t we there? I’d have thought we were past there. There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go. Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.
“These guys only know Tiger Woods missing the cut and he’s better than that, the best we’ve ever seen.”
In his pre-tournament press conference ahead of this year’s Open, which tees off Thursday, Woods took the opportunity to address Montgomerie’s comments, referencing the fact that he has earned automatic qualification for the major through his past victories at the event.