Tiger Woods ' Open Championship week is over after the American great shot nine-over-par across his opening two rounds to miss the cut at St Andrews. Woods made his fairytale return to the Home of Golf this week, having won two of his three Claret Jugs at the famous course in 2000 and 2005.
However the 15-time major winner was unable to replicate his heroics from years gone by, after enduring a disappointing week, with the severe injuries sustained in a car accident 17 months ago clearly still affecting his game. The damage was seemingly done on Thursday, after Woods carded a six-over-par 78 during his long-winded six-hour opening round.
The golfing great headed into his second outing on Friday just 13 hours after finishing his first round the day before in the St Andrews sunset.
Woods knew that if he was to extend his stay over the weekend he would have to go low, setting himself the target of a six-under 66 after addressing the media on Thursday evening. Like day one though, the American struggled to get going, as he found it difficult to find the birdies he needed to edge closer to the cut line.
An early three came in the morning, as he birdied the par four third in attempt to get things moving. But this was soon halted as a bogey followed straight after on the fourth, before he added another at six to move to one-over for the day and seven for the tournament. Having limped his way around Augusta National and Southern Hills, his struggles once again became visible as he made his way around the Old Course.
Woods was on the hunt for some much needed birdies, but the putts just would not drop for the American on another frustrating outing in the Scottish sun. After his bogey at six nine straight pars followed, before he picked up a double bogey at 16 which was followed by a par at 17.
The 46-year-old has enjoyed many a heroic walk up the famous 18th, and despite his disappointing week, this time around proved no different. The St Andrews crowd were quite rightly on their feet applauding Woods home, and the respect was even shown by his playing partners, Matt Fitzpatrick and Max Homa, who hung back on their walk up the final hole to allow the American his well deserved moment.
An emotional Woods still had a job to finish, and after punching his second shot onto the green, he two putted to ensure he finished his tournament with a par, leaving him at nine-over-par for the week.
