EXCLUSIVE: Rickie Fowler sends retirement message to Tiger Woods after PGA Tour legend told to call it quits

Rickie Fowler believes Tiger Woods still has plenty of time left at the top of professional golf, despite speculation about Woods’ future ahead of this week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon. Woods, a 15-time major champion and 82-time PGA Tour winner, has faced doubts regarding his ability to continue competing at the highest level.

Colin Montgomerie, reflecting on Woods’ recent performances, suggested it might be time for Woods to retire. He told The Times: “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him. There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, 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.” Montgomerie added, “There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go.”

In contrast, Rickie Fowler sees a different future for Woods. “He still has plenty of good golf in him,” Fowler told Mirror Sport on the eve of The Open. “The game is better when we have him around.” Fowler, who values Woods’ presence both for the game and the crowds he draws, expressed his desire to see Woods continue to play. “I love being able to have Tiger [here],” Fowler commented. “He has been trying to continue to make sure he is ready to go, playing the majors and then hopefully a few other events on top of that… I would love to see him continue to stay healthy so he can play a select group of events throughout the year.”

During his pre-championship media duties, Woods addressed Montgomerie’s comments by highlighting his exemption to play The Open until he is 60 as a past champion. “Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not,” Woods said. “He is not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do. So when I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he doesn’t.”

Woods will start his week in Thursday’s opening round at 2:37 p.m. BST, playing alongside Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.