Tiger Woods can continue playing at The Open Championship into his late 50s, but this year’s champion won’t be so lucky.
The golfing icon has survived a rule change by the R&A (The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) keeping him active at the iconic tournament for the next 12 years.
Like every other former champion, three-time winner Woods is exempt from qualifying for the major up until his 60th birthday.
But from 2024 onwards, that landmark has been dropped to 55, the R&A have confirmed.
Woods will compete this year in Scotland as a massive outsider due to numerous injuries hampering his game and ability to perform at the highest level.
Yet like many other champions, he will still enjoy iconic moments on the Swilcan Bridge at St Andrews for years to come, warming the hearts of golf-lovers who are over the moon to see him still in action.
Woods will compete this year in Scotland as a massive outsider due to numerous injuries hampering his game and ability to perform at the highest level.
Yet like many other champions, he will still enjoy iconic moments on the Swilcan Bridge at St Andrews for years to come, warming the hearts of golf-lovers who are over the moon to see him still in action.
Speaking after the US Open in June, the 48-year-old dropped a rare hint back about hanging up his clubs.
When asked whether this year’s could be his last, Woods said: “As far as my last Open Championship or US Open, I don’t know what that is. It may or may not be.
“It’s one of those things where in order to win a golf tournament, you have to make the cut.
“I can’t win the tournament from where I’m at, so it certainly is frustrating.”
He added: “I’ve only got one more tournament this season. I don’t think even if I win the British Open, I don’t think I’ll be in the PGA Tour play-offs.
“Just one more event and then I’ll come back whenever I come back.”
For now, attention will turn towards front runners Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.
The final name in that list, DeChambeau, will also have an eye on the R&A changes and how they impact him and other LIV Golf competitors.
Many of those who joined the Saudi breakaway league have struggled for major invites, but those who also compete in the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia or the Sunshine Tour will be able to qualify through the International Federation Ranking list.
That won’t be an issue for DeChambeau, though, who enters this year’s event as a two-time US Open winner, having downed McIlroy by a single stroke at Pinehurst in June.
