Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley reflects on speculation surrounding Tiger Woods’ golfing future and explains why he hopes this week isn’t the last time we see the 15-time major champion in action at St Andrews.
The 46-year-old has competed just twice in ranked events since suffering career-threatening injuries in last February's car crash, with Woods withdrawing mid-tournament from the PGA Championship before skipping the US Open.
Woods has been adamant for months about wanting to tee it up again at The Open and told reporters at last week's JP McManus Pro-Am he hoped for 'one more run' on the Old Course, with Radar admitting it would be no shock if this was his last St Andrews appearance.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it happened and I hope it doesn't happen, because in another five years it comes around here again to the great Old Course," Radar told Sky Sports News ahead of The Open, live on Sky Sports' dedicated channel.
"Tiger is a golfer that keeps us all wanting more of him, he's one of those players. He's the most charismatic of golfers. Jack Nicklaus has got the better record and a great player, but in the modern era, Tiger Woods has just been phenomenal for our game - the greatest game of all.
"We are here at The Old Course and will he stand there on the 18th and call time on his career? I've been lucky enough to stand there and watch Arnold Palmer, Jack Nickaus, and so many great players stand on that Swilcan Bridge and do it.
"If he does it, good on you, Tiger. But c'mon, just give us another five years! He will know when that time should come and he will know exactly when it's time to walk away from our sport.
"We know all about the back fusions and now it's the ankle, but will it get better as he keeps on working at it? He's a fitness fanatic. Look at the shape he's in. He's big and so very strong still, but he needs to get better. If it starts to improve…who knows how he cold be in a couple of years?!
"When you were that good to win what he's won and in the fashion he did, I mean who else is going to do that? He won a major by 15 shots! That will never, ever be emulated.
"Then he came here and didn't find a bunker in 2000! It's just ridiculous, so I feel he can still play, but if he says goodbye, we'll still see Tiger around the traps - pardon the pun."
Morikawa: Appreciate Tiger in action
Defending champion Collin Morikawa said his generation of PGA Tour players, which grew up in awe of Woods, are just happy to be able at any opportunity to compete alongside the former world No 1.
"I think any time I'm able to see him, any time any of us are able to see him, we have to appreciate it because we don't know how many times he's going to play here," Morikawa said in his pre-tournament press conference. "He might play one, he might play ten - who knows?
"Any time you're able to be around someone like that where you've idolised him for so long, it's amazing. He's such a competitor and that's what's awesome about him. Even though he's gone through everything he's gone through, I know he's fighting it.
"I talked to him a few months ago about everything he has to do just to walk every day, it's amazing. It just shows you how much grit and determination he wants to have to get back on top and to win another event. I fully understand why."
When is The Open live on Sky Sports?
Sky Sports The Open will show over 80 hours of live coverage from the iconic Old Course at St Andrews, more than ever before, with live programming on all seven days of tournament week and a host of bonus extra features available to enjoy.
Live coverage from the opening two rounds will begin at 6.30am - before the opening tee shot - and run through until after play is finished, with wall-to-wall coverage live from 9am on Saturday and 8am for Sunday's final round.
There will be lots of extra action throughout all four days via the red button on Sky Sports The Open, along with Sky Q and Sky Glass, with Featured Groups and Featured Holes available to enjoy as the world's best players tackle the Home of Golf.
Watch The 150th Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports' dedicated channel. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 6.30am live on Sky Sports The Open.