Golf Needs Tiger Woods ‘Desperately’ – Xander Schauffele

Xander Schauffele, set to play alongside Tiger Woods at this week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club, expressed his hope that Woods continues to play golf “as long as possible.” Schauffele emphasized that the sport still “desperately” needs the 15-time Major winner.

In a recent media interaction, Woods responded to comments from Colin Montgomerie, who suggested that Woods should consider retirement. Montgomerie had told The Times, “There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go. Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more realistic.”

Woods, however, dismissed Montgomerie’s comments, asserting that he has no plans to retire soon. “As a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not. He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do,” Woods said with a smile.

Montgomerie later clarified on social media that his remarks were taken “out of context,” and he wished Woods “an enjoyable and successful week.”

Schauffele, paired with Woods and Patrick Cantlay for the first two rounds, defended Woods and reiterated his importance to golf. “He’s still El Tigre to me,” Schauffele said. “He’s still wearing that red on Sunday. Whether it’s his honest opinion or not, the game of golf needs him, needs him desperately.”

Schauffele added that Woods’ presence significantly benefits other golfers due to the attention he brings to the sport. “Selfishly, I want him to play as long as possible. It just helps all of the guys out here, just with the amount of eyeballs that someone like Tiger Woods brings to golf.”

Reflecting on Woods’ fighting spirit, Schauffele said, “He’s still got a lot of fight in him. I think he’s pretty honest with his own assessment. He’ll hang them up when he feels he’s ready, and he’s still got a lot of bite and a lot of fight in him. I’m not too worried about him, and I look forward to playing with him the first two days.”

When asked if Woods remains the biggest draw in golf, Schauffele affirmed, “I mean, if you just want to come out and try to watch a single shot on Thursday and Friday, you can be my guest.”

Schauffele, who recently won his first Major at the PGA Championship, said his victory has boosted his confidence heading into Royal Troon. “Probably a little more [confidence] than before,” Schauffele said. “I’ve never been on property here. Just trying to learn the course as quickly as I can.”

He expressed his fondness for links golf and the unique challenges it presents. “I really enjoy playing links golf and all the challenges that come with it. It’s always fun for me to come here and play golf.”

Schauffele also acknowledged the impact of the weather on the tournament. “I think links golf, there’s a certain attitude that you need to have to play at a high level. That comes with playing links golf. That’s sort of the first thing I learned when I was here.”

Highlighting the contrast between golfing conditions in the U.S. and the U.K., he said, “Back home in the States when it starts raining, people always feel like, oh, one wave gets the rain, and out here it can rain the entire day, and it’s just part of it. It’s something we’re not used to playing in the States. With that rain comes a lot of wind, as well.”

Schauffele concluded by saying he relishes the challenge of links golf. “I really enjoy the challenge of it. This is my seventh start now, and I don’t feel like quite a veteran on links golf yet, but again, I really do enjoy it, and I think it helps me learn quicker.”