A commentator at the Open Championship faced backlash from fans for his casual remark about Tiger Woods’ medical status at Royal Troon.

As Thursday’s play approached, Woods has been grappling with several injuries, which have significantly restricted the number of tournaments the 48 year old can participate in and compete effectively. In 2024, Woods has entered just four tournaments, making the cut solely at The Masters.

He also withdrew from the Genesis Invitational due to illness. Given how mortal the once-dominant Woods has appeared this year, many commentators have expressed doubts about the 82-time PGA Tour champion’s capacity to perform at his best.

But Sky Sports’ Mark Roe, one of the hosts, made a particularly dubious statement while discussing the featured groups for the first round of The Open Championship.”You look at the eyes, you gotta think there’s a lot of painkillers being taken to cope with the pain,” Roe said during the broadcast.

Given the numerous surgeries Woods has had to endure simply to walk and his efforts to return to playing, the conjecture struck many as insensitive. Fans were quick to react to Roe’s words and shared their opinions on social media platforms.

One user commented on X, saying: “A little bit odd for Mark Roe to just come out and say that,” criticizing the need to fill every silence. Another astonished user stated: “An absolute crazy thing to say on air.”

Another commenter slammed Mark Roe’s on-air behaviour, insisting he shouldn’t be working at Sky Sports: “Mark Roe does not deserve a job at your network. His featured group commentary is an absolute disgrace to the game of golf and Tiger. Speculating about drug addiction on the air? Classless.”

Tiger Woods has been marred with injuries, with many threatening his career ( Image: Photo by Stuart Franklin/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

Recently, Colin Montgomerie has bluntly suggested that it’s time for Woods to hang up his clubs, questioning his ability to play at the top level. “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? ‘” Montgomerie remarked.

“He’s coming to Troon and he won’t enjoy it there either. … 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 phone in. We are more realistic.”

In a sharp retort to Montgomerie’s blunt retirement call, Woods hit back, highlighting his right to play: “Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not.

“He is not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do. So when I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he doesn’t. … I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event.”