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Tiger Woods gets retirement message from Rickie Fowler after golf icon told time to quit

Colin Montgomerie has suggested that it could well be time for Tiger Woods to call time on his playing career having struggled to replicate the form he showed in years gone by

[Rickie Fowler disagreed with Colin Montgomerie]

Rickie Fowler disagreed with Colin Montgomerie(Image: Getty Images)

Rickie Fowler has voiced his optimistic stance on Tiger Woods future in professional golf - asserting the legend still has a lot of excellent golf ahead of him.

HIs comments come after concerns raised by Colin Montgomerie in The Times about Woods' performance and enjoyment of the game. In a stark assessment, the veteran Scottish star said: "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."

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The 61-year-old went on to question Woods' future in the sport, adding: "Aren't we there? I'd have thought we were past there. 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."

However, on the cusp of The Open, crowd favourite Rickie Fowler, 35, countered this view in a chat with the Mirror, confidently commenting on his fellow American's lasting abilities. "He still has plenty of good golf in him," he said. "The game is better when we have him around."

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[Colin Montgomerie had his say on Tiger Woods' future]

Colin Montgomerie had his say on Tiger Woods' future(Image: Getty Images)

Woods, 48, is still the main man in golf. And he's got fans flocking to Royal Troon like moths to a flame - including Fowler, who's chuffed to bits to have his old Ryder Cup pal around.

He said: "I love being able to have Tiger [here]." He added adding that seeing Woods play majors is a special experience and that he hopes his compatriot can keep fit.

[Tiger Woods speaks to media at a press conference during practice for The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon on July 16, 2024 in Troon, Scotland.]

Tiger Woods' future was questioned but he had a blunt reply(Image: Keyur Khamar)

Fowler said: "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."

Meanwhile, Woods chopped down Montgomerie's critique at his press conference on Tuesday, with a cheeky reminder of what they both won. He said: "Well, as a past champion, I'm exempt until I'm 60. Colin is not."

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