Tiger Woods is making just his fifth start of the year at The Open but admits he’s been too optimistic this season

Honest Tiger Woods admits he was “too optimistic” with his plans for the current season – but is planning a big 2025.

The golf legend had a rough start at The Open on Thursday, notching a disappointing eight-over-par 79 at Royal Troon. This marks only his fifth appearance this year as he grapples with ongoing health issues. Despite recent challenges and Colin Montgomerie’s suggestion that Woods should retire, the 82-time PGA Tour winner seems determined to press on, even if his performance at Royal Troon falls short.

He said: “Hopefully next year will be a little bit better than this year. I thought I could play a little bit more earlier in the year. I think I was a little bit too optimistic. I need to do a lot more work in the gym and keep progressing like we have. I’m physically feeling a lot better than I did at the beginning of the year.

“At the end of last year, it was tough, and I haven’t played a whole lot. I think that, as the year has gone on, I have gotten better. I just wish I could have played a little bit more, but I’ve been saving it for the majors just in case I do something pretty major and then take myself out of it.”

He will undoubtedly be hoping for a better performance on Thursday’s showing, with Woods leaving himself plenty of work to do on day two to ensure he makes the weekend. The three-time Open champion made six bogeys and two double bogeys, which cancelled out his two birdies of the day at the third and 13th.

Tiger Woods is in Open action (Image: Getty Images)

He went on: “I didn’t do a whole lot of things right today. I made that putt on the 3rd hole, and then I think I had, what, three 3-putts today. I didn’t hit my irons very close, and I didn’t give myself a whole lot of looks today. I need to shoot something in the mid-60s tomorrow to get something going on the weekend.”