For decades, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were a common sight at major championships. However, in recent years, the pair seems to have faded away. 

As Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy head into Royal Birkdale as favorites, it looks like Woods and Mickelson’s era is over. Their dominance lasted a long time, but nothing ever lasts forever.

Both have missed all four majors this season. Interestingly, that has happened for the first time in 37 years. 

1989 was the beginning of their streak, as shown on Golf Digest's X post. Woods has now missed all four majors, twice in a row. On the other hand, Mickelson misses out for the first time this season. He had initially entered the field at Royal Birkdale but then went on to withdraw. 

The Lefty has cited family health concerns for his withdrawal from the Masters and the PGA Championship earlier this year. As for the U.S. Open, he could not manage to qualify.

The 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club was the last major Woods featured in. The 2025 season was marred by a back surgery. 

The 15-time major winner was set to feature at this year’s Masters. Unfortunately, just days before, he was involved in a car accident that wrote off his return completely.

In the context of the Open, it is the first time since 1993 that neither has played the season-ending major.

As the Open returned to Royal Birkdale for the 11th time, Woods had a lot to say about the Southport course's difficulty.

Tiger Woods comments on the Royal Birkdale

Tiger Woods has featured at the Open 23 times in his career. Out of them all, only one was held at Royal Birkdale in 1998. He weighed in on the difficulty of the course.

“Watching it on TV and actually playing it [Royal Birkdale] back in ’98, it is one of the hardest Open Championship venues there is. It’s long, it’s hard, just demanding, and you just don’t get away with anything at Birkdale. That’s what’s amazing about it. It’s a hard golf course,” Tiger Woods said in an Instagram post uploaded by Sun Day Red. 

Woods has secured the Claret Jug thrice in his career. However, he could manage a solo third finish at Royal Birkdale back then. 

This time around, Royal Birkdale has undergone a lot of changes. The transformed 15th hole has been a major talking point. Many believe it to be the decider of the season-opening major.

The conditions have been ideal on the opening round. With 54 holes remaining, it will be interesting to see how the course unfolds for the players.

What are your thoughts on Royal Birkdale? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi