Tiger Woods told by golf icon to retire on eve of The Open: "What the hell is he doing?"

European Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie has implored Tiger Woods to retire, suggesting the aura around the 48-year-old has vanished. 

Montgomerie made the comments in a recent interview with The Times of London. 

Woods is set to make his 23rd appearance in golf's oldest major next week. 

The hall of famer made his debut in 1995 and has won the claret jug three times (2000, 2005 and 2006) during his illustrious career. 

Montgomerie told the publication he fears the 15-time major champion is now morphing into his own tribute act. 

"I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him" he said.  

"There is none of that now. At Pinehurst [the 2024 US Open] 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."

Woods has always maintained that he won't be a ceremonial golfer. 

But results since he returned to action after his February 2021 car crash do not make for pretty reading. 

In 2022, Woods made the cut at Augusta National upon his shock return but went on to post consecutive rounds of 78 over the weekend to finish 47th. 

A month later, he withdrew from the PGA Championship after the third round at Southern Hills Country Club. 

It was later revealed by Jason Day that a metal screw in his right foot protruded the skin. 

In the same year, he missed the cut at the landmark 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews. 

Montgomerie previously stated that was the time for him to say goodbye as the tears flowed on the Swilcan Bridge. 

Woods made the cut at Augusta National once again last year but withdrew after the third round. 

More surgery followed. 

He finished 60th in the major this year as Scottie Scheffler added a second green jacket to his wardrobe. 

Missed cuts at the PGA Championship and the US Open followed for Woods. 

Woods will likely insist in his pre-tournament news conference that he can be competitive once again but Montgomerie takes a dim view of that sentiment. 

"Aren't we there? I'd have thought we were past there," he said.  

"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."

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