Tiger Woods began his quest to tackle Royal Troon at the 152nd Open Championship Thursday.
The 15-time major winner teed off in his British Open alongside fellow Americans Patrick Cantlay and PGA Championship victor Xander Schauffele.
The 48-year-old, a three-time winner of the major championship, fired his opening drive 201 yards off the first tee, finding the first cut of rough on the right side of the fairway.
Woods aims to tame Troon in his conquest of a 16th major victory this week – something he is adamant his war-torn body can still accomplish.
Yet, the stats spell out a different story. The golf icon missed the cut at both the PGA Championship and the US Open and while he battled through to the weekend at the Masters, he finished in 60th and last place.
However, Woods’ message remained the same he’s maintained for the past two years: He wouldn’t show up unless he believed he had a shot at victory.
And, ahead of this week’s tournament, he fixed his glare on those who asked him why we could expect anything different on a course that he conceded will ‘eat you up’ if conditions turn.
‘I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event,’ he said, brusquely, as he took center stage in front of a packed media center Tuesday.
When asked whether his belief has wavered, he was even more economical with his words. ‘No,’ came the blunt reply.
Woods has played just nine competitive rounds through 2024 but will still be the main attraction in Ayrshire this week.