If you’re old enough to remember the origins of Tiger Woods, there’s nostalgic pleasure in the idea he can still dunk on Colin Montgomerie today with just as much flair as he did during the 1997 Masters in a third round that changed the course of golf history.
Back then, it was Tiger delivering a nine-shot beatdown after Monty suggested the 21-year-old’s lack of experience in major championships might make him vulnerable on the weekend. Fast-forward 27 years and the argument has instead moved to retirement, with the always-earnest Scottish legend suggesting in an interview last week that it might be time for Woods — just 48 but lugging around a body beaten down by injury — to exit the stage rather than playing more Open Championships like the one beginning Thursday at Royal Troon. As a past champion, I’m exempt ’til I’m 60. Colin’s not,” Woods said wryly when asked about Montgomerie’s comments Tuesday morning. “He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt so he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do.”
It’s an incredible burn. It’s especially funny when you think about major-less Monty, 27 years later, once again taking a run at Tiger only to get a heel print on his back. Some things never change.