Tiger Woods’ injuries mean he isn’t likely to hear from anyone in the build-up to The Open – but at least this time he won’t be asking to.
The Hall of Famer once had players queuing up for the chance to play alongside him in the run-up to the golf’s biggest tournaments until he tried playing Royal Portrush for the first time in 2019.
The three-time winner reached out to then-world No. 1 Brooks Koepka for some tips ahead of The 148th Open.
The now-LIV Golf star was also making his debut at Portrush but had the benefit of local knowledge through his caddie, Ricky Elliott.
The latter, who has been on Koepka’s bag since 2013 and is a fine golfer himself, was born and raised in the Northern Ireland town.
Woods had been hoping to lean on some of that experience, while also getting a closer look at Koepka, who came into the 2019 Open having won four of the last nine majors.
However, the 15-time major winner jokingly admitted he was given the cold shoulder after asking if he fancied a knock at Royal Portrush.
Asked if he had contacted his compatriot for any insider info on the course, Woods said: “No, I have not. But I’ll tell you a funny story.
“I texted Brooksie, congratulations on another great finish [second-place finish in the US Open].
“What he’s done in the last four Major championships has been just unbelievable.
“To be so consistent, so solid. He’s been in contention to win each and every Major Championship.
“And I said, ‘Hey, dude, do you mind if I tag along and play a practice round?’. I’ve heard nothing.”
Woods couldn’t help but join in the rapturous laughter that followed the end of his story, after cracking into a huge grin.
Days later, Koepka quickly moved to clear any actual tension that had been caused after carding a three-under par in the first round.
The 35-year-old revealed he never received Woods’ messages as he had changed his number after the US Open because it had leaked.
“Yeh I did text him,” he said on Sky Sports. “I changed my phone number, that was the problem.
“I changed it at the US Open when somebody leaked it.
“I got about 40 text messages so I changed it Monday night and obviously I don’t get many texts.
“We don’t text that often so I didn’t get any of his text messages.
“But I text him on Wednesday from the new number and he text me back don’t worry.”
Woods could have indeed benefitted from gaining some experience after finishing his first round seven-over par to leave him tied-143rd.
He and Phil Mickelson both then missed the cut, the first time this had happened in 83 majors.
But Woods won’t be joining his fellow veteran in seeking redemption at Royal Portrush this week, having ruptured his Achilles in March.
It means the 49-year-old American will have missed all four of the annual majors.
He last competed in a PGA Tour event 12 months ago, and plenty of practice rounds will be needed whenever Woods returns…