Share

There's life in me yet - Woods

St Andrews - Tiger Woods says that age and injuries have failed to diminish his will to win and that more major titles are still possible as he approaches his 40th birthday..

Speaking Tuesday ahead of his fifth British Open at St Andrews, the former world number one spoke of recent hard times and the increasingly distant good times in his golf career.

Questioned at his pre-tournament press conference if he had ever harboured thoughts of retirement during his bleak spell this year, Woods shot back: "Well, retirement? I don't have any AARP (retirement) card yet, so I'm a ways from that.

"I feel like my body is finally healed up from the (back) surgery from last year.

"You know, they say it takes you about four-to-six months to get back, but I've heard a lot of guys on tour who have had the surgery and other athletes say it takes over a year to get back.

"I think they were there probably closer to being right, it being a full year to get back."

Woods feels that time is on his side as he continues his quest to add to the 14 major title wins he has and close the gap on the all-time record of 18 held by Jack Nicklaus.

But his last win in a Grand Slam event came over seven years ago at the US Open, his last win in a British Open was at Hoylake at 2006 and his last at St Andrews was in 2005.

Injuries and changes to his swing pattern have dominated his game for the last two years reaching a nadir this year when he clocked up career-worst scores on the PGA Tour and in the US Open, where he missed the cut, and a best finish of tied 17th in the Masters.

But St Andrews and the Old Course could, he feels, hold the key to helping him return to former glories.

It's his favourite course anywhere and if there is one place that can inspire him to revive his flagging fortunes - alongside Augusta National - it is St Andrews.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE