Tiger Woods missed the last start at St Andrews (Picture: Sky Sports)

An emotional Tiger Woods wiped away tears with a hero’s welcome as he walked down St Andrews’ 18th fairway, likely to be the last open fairway on the famous old course.

The 46-year-old did not make it to the weekend because he finished the second round with 9 under par.

Woods struggles to deal with Scotland’s iconic peg conditions and will compete on Saturday and Sunday for the best players in the game to compete for the oldest and arguably the most prestigious award in golf.

Despite being a shadow of his former self, his body was in tatters, but Rafter was cheered by the Americans for fans who flocked to the field and filled the stands, usually stoic in a standing ovation. I left Woods crying.

Woods has won three open championships at St Andrews. The first championship was held 22 years ago, but it is almost certain that he will not play because the tournament will not return to the region until 2030.

When asked about his reaction to the incredible reception, Woods told Sky Sports:

“I’ve been here since 1995, but I don’t know when the next one will come. I think it will be in 2030.

Tiger Woods missed the cut after finishing the second round with a 9 over par

Tiger Woods finished the second round with 9 overs and missed the cut (Picture: Getty)

“I don’t know if I can physically play at the moment, so for me it was the last British Open in St Andrews.

“The fans, the cheers and the heat were unbelievable. I knew what Jack (Nicklaus) and Arnold (Palmer) had experienced in the past, and at the end I felt that way.

Collective warmth and understanding, they understand what golf is and what it takes to win the British Open.

“Fortunately, I never came here twice and I got very emotional just because I didn’t know my health.

“I feel like I can play in the next British Open, but I don’t know if he will be able to play that long when he comes back here.”

He seemed almost uneasy in the uncertainty surrounding his future, but it was clearly disappointing that Woods didn’t show anything close to his best form.

When asked why he was having such a hard time, he added:

“Like yesterday, I made some bad shots, but in the end they turned out to be bad shots. I didn’t get anything.

“I had to do a report today, but I didn’t, so I’ll be out over the weekend.”

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