The 15-times Major champion cut a forlorn figure as he limped out of Royal Troon at the halfway stage. Toiling Tiger bettered his first day score by two on Friday, but his total was still a whopping 14-over par. The icon’s injuries have blunted his bite and individuals such as Colin Montgomerie believe it may be better to leave the game with memories of his brilliance other than his struggles.

But Woods has no intention of walking away and said: “I loved it. I’ve always loved playing major championships. I just wish I was more physically sharp. Obviously it tests you mentally, physically, emotionally. I was hoping that I would find it somehow, just never did.” Woods intends to be at Royal Portrush next year and continued: “Definitely. Okay, sorry. That’s a year away.”

The 48-year-old also plans being back on Tartan soil to compete as he added: “Yeah, I’ve won two Open Championships here in Scotland, so I’ve always enjoyed playing up here and enjoyed the different types of links that Scotland brings. I’ve missed playing Troon. I remember way back in 1997. I’ve had some good memories here. I just wish I’d done a little bit better and looking forward to it.”

As suspected, Woods was simply never a factor at Troon as he missed another Major cut by a mile. The legend knows he needs more time on course, but the health issues make it tough. Woods said: “I’d like to have played more, but I just wanted to make sure that I was able to play the Major championships this year.

“I got a lot of time off to get better, to be better physically, which has been the case all year. I’ve gotten better, even though my results really haven’t shown it, but physically I’ve gotten better, which is great. I just need to keep progressing like that and then eventually start playing more competitively and start getting into kind of the competitive flow again.”

Woods will return in December when he hosts December’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. He stated: “I’m not going to play until then. I’m going to just keep getting physically better and keep working on it. Hopefully just come back for our fifth major, the Father/Son. Looking forward to it.”

Patrick Cantlay played alongside Woods and said: “I’ve seen enough video of him dominating to know what he has. Anytime being around him on the golf course is a pleasure.”