Tiger Woods was fighting back the tears walking up the 18th fairway at St Andrews, as spine tingling scenes from those watching on greeted the golfing great as his week came to an end. Woods carded a disappointing three-over-par 75 to finish the tournament nine-over, meaning he missed the cut to compete at the weekend.
The American has a strong affinity with the Old Course, having won two of his three Claret Jugs there in 2000 and 2005. Whilst his performance this time around did not mirror his previous heroics, Woods was deservedly given a hero's reception when making his way down the final hole.
After flying his tee shot just short of the green, the 15-time major champion made the famous walk over the The Swilcan Bridge and down the fairway, and was greeted by unwavering support from the stands.
As the claps and roars began, the American removed his cap and waved in appreciation on the famed bridge before carrying on his emotional walk towards the green. There had been a debate as to whether Woods would ever compete again, let alone return to St Andrews, however the the 82-time PGA Tour champion chose not to stop whilst on the 18th bridge, a move often used by those playing the Home of Golf for the final time.
As his walk continued so did the cheers, and the spine-tingling moment looked as if it was going to be all too much for the 46-year-old as he appeared to fight back the tears. As well as the respect from those watching on, the admiration was also paid by his fellow players, as his playing partners Matthew Fitzpatrick and Max Homa held back and walked 20 or so yards behind to allow Woods to have his moment, in a real touch of class.
On the same shared fairway, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Colin Morikawa were making their way down the first hole, and they also joined in with the applause as the man who was no doubt a childhood hero to all three made his way past. In added touch of class, McIlroy tipped his cap to Woods, with the admiration and respect between two of the world's best clear to see.
Within all the emotion, the 82-time PGA Tour winner still had a job to finish with his ball just short of the 18th green. Woods punched his second shot onto the green before two-putting to finish with a par, signing off at nine-over-par for the tournament. After his second round, Woods revealed that whilst this week might not have been his last Open, it could have been his last at St Andrews.
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He told Sky Sports: "I have been coming here since 1995. I think the next Open here comes around in 2030 and I don't know if I will be physically able to play by then. To me, it felt like this may have been my last Open at St Andrews. The ovation and warmth from the fans was an unbelievable feeling. I understand what Jack [Nicklaus] and Arnold [Palmer] had gone through in the past, and I was kind of feeling that way in there at the end.
"The collective warmth and understanding - they understand what golf is all about and what it takes to be Open champion. I've been lucky enough and fortunate enough to have won this twice here. It felt very emotional, just because I don't know what my health will be like. I feel like I will be able to play future Opens but I don't know if I will be able to play long enough when it comes back around here."
