Oh snap, Tiger Woods just hit back in style during at 152 Royal Troon press conference ahead of The Open.
Colin Montgomerie had called on Tiger Woods to consider retiring so as to try and save his golfing legacy. Speaking to The Times newspaper Montgomerie said, “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him,” . He continued, “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.
“Aren’t we there? (retirement) 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.
In a savage ending to the Woods retirement observation, Montgomerie added, “Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”.
Tiger Woods, who recently declined the USA Ryder Cup captain job, has snapped back though. Ahead of his 23rd Open appearance he attended the media conference and in response to being asked about Montgomerie’s comments he simply replied, “As a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not. He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do,”.
Boom! Remember though, Tiger has history of using negative comments made against him to spur him on. Just ask Stephen Ames! Have a watch of the video below.
We are not sure if Montgomerie and Woods will be bumping into each other around Royal Troon, but we kind of hope so! Definitely one to keep an eye on.
Watch the full Tiger Woods Royal Troon press conference below…
