ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Tiger Woods has had the week of the 150th Open Championship circled on his calendar for more than a year.
He was ecstatic to have worked and healed enough following a single-car accident in February 2021 that nearly took his life to be at the Home of Golf this week to try and add a fourth Claret Jug to his collection.
His mood – and health – have been so good since setting foot in this old grey seaside village that he’s played 58 holes in practice rounds. That’s twice as many as he played ahead of both the Masters and the PGA Championship.
And on Wednesday, Tiger’s week got even better when it was announced that Woods was one of three golfers to accept invitations to become Honorary Members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
“It is not only the Home of Golf, but a place in this world that I hold near my heart,” the 15-time major winner and three-time Open Championship victor said in a statement. “I am humbled to accept this invitation alongside these outstanding players today, as well as those who came before us.”
Also receiving honorary membership were four-time major winner and 2014 Champion Golfer of the Year Rory McIlroy and 1999 Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie.
“It’s a privilege to represent a club that has done so much for golf over so many years,” McIlroy said. “I’m proud to play my part in promoting golf around the world.”
