Not a good ending for Tiger

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — This is the way it too often ends, not with a bang or a whimper but a farewell that couldn’t come too soon.

Tiger Woods entered this landmark British Open with the belief — or was it merely the hope? — that a return to the Old Course, where he had won the Open, where he emphatically reminded us of his greatness, would be a step back in time.

But others own pro golf now, and surely this will be Woods’ final Open, except perhaps in a ceremonial role. It is not quite a passing of the torch — no one out there can carry the flame and the game as Woods did — but a sad concession to reality.

The thinking was that a flat links land course, where the ball rolls and rolls, would give a 46-year-old a chance against the 26-year-olds. But Tiger began with a double-bogey on the first hole after hitting into the burn that fronts the green and finished with a 6-over 78.

Woods was unable to take advantage of the favorable conditions, overcast and almost no wind. The tone was set right away on that first hole, leading to the first of five bogeys.

He finally made his only birdie of the day at the par-5 14th, but he'll go to the second round a daunting 11 shots behind the clubhouse leader, Dustin Johnson.

In other words, Woods' main priority on Friday will be making the cut. That's a far cry from his previous performances at St. Andrews, where he won the claret jug in 2000 and 2005.

Woods walked off the course tied for 133rd, having bested only two other players to complete their rounds. He was tied with 65-year-old Tom Watson, who had a 76 in his final British Open. It is a trifle ironic that Rory  McIlroy, who is supposed to be the next Tiger, shot a 4-under 66, 12 shots lower than Woods.

"Guys have been shooting good numbers," Woods said. "Unfortunately, I did not do that." Instead, he was headed for a missed cut for the third time in his last four majors.

At least after his ultimate putt, Woods displayed class and respect, doffing his white hat with the familiar TW logo to the fans who stayed the course, after 9 p.m.

The celebrated start Thursday of the 150th British Open gave way to Cameron Young making his debut with an 8-under 64 for a two-shot lead over McIlroy, and Tiger Woods making what could be his last competitive appearance at St. Andrews a short one.

His score would indicate as much. Woods ended his round by taking three putts through the Valley of Sin for a par and a 78, his second-worst score in his Open career.

Woods will try to avoid leaving early from St. Andrews for the second straight time.