During the preparations for the 148th Open at Royal Portrush in 2019, Tiger Woods reached out to then-world No. 1 Brooks Koepka, hoping to gain some local insight and possibly join him for a practice round. Koepka, making his debut at Royal Portrush, benefited from his caddie Ricky Elliott’s deep knowledge of the Northern Ireland course—the caddie having grown up in the area. Woods, a three-time Open winner, wanted to leverage that advantage and observe Koepka, who had recently dominated majors by winning four of the last nine championships.

Once a magnet for players eager to compete alongside him in warm-up rounds, Woods found himself on the other side, encountering unexpectedly cool reception when he attempted to connect with Koepka before the tournament.

A Lighthearted Account of the Practice Round Request

The 15-time major champion humorously recounted how his attempt to tag along with Koepka in practice was met with silence. Woods recalled texting Koepka congratulations on his recent performances, praising his consistency and solid play in major events. Following the commendation, he asked:

“And I said, ‘Hey, dude, do you mind if I tag along and play a practice round?’. I’ve heard nothing.”

—Tiger Woods, Golfer

Despite the apparent snub, Woods told the story with a grin and laughter, demonstrating no ill feelings, instead sharing an amusing episode from his competitive history.

Koepka’s Explanation and Clarification on the Miscommunication

Shortly after Woods’ story circulated, Brooks Koepka clarified the situation during a Sky Sports interview. He explained that he had changed his phone number after the US Open due to privacy concerns as his old number was leaked to the public. Consequently, he never received Woods’ messages. Koepka said he switched his number on a Monday night and typically did not get many texts. He added:

“Yeh I did text him, I changed my phone number, that was the problem. I changed it at the US Open when somebody leaked it. I got about 40 text messages so I changed it Monday night and obviously I don’t get many texts. We don’t text that often so I didn’t get any of his text messages.”

—Brooks Koepka, Golfer

Koepka then texted Woods from his new number to reassure him:

“But I text him on Wednesday from the new number and he text me back don’t worry.”

—Brooks Koepka, Golfer

Woods’ Struggles and Absence from Recent Majors

Tiger Woods’ performance at that Open reflected some challenges; he finished his first round with a seven-over par and tied for 143rd place, events that coincided with both him and Phil Mickelson missing the cut for the first time in 83 major championships. Since then, Woods has faced significant setbacks due to injuries. A ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in March 2025 has ruled him out of participating in this year’s Open at Royal Portrush as well as preventing him from competing in all four major tournaments this year.

Currently 49 years old, Woods’ last appearance on the PGA Tour was roughly 12 months ago. His recovery suggests that ample practice rounds and preparation will be essential before he attempts a comeback in competitive golf.

The Broader Context of The Open and Golf Preparations

The Open Championship’s buildup often sees players eagerly practicing with top competitors to hone course knowledge and strategies. Players like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have made notable preparations for the 2025 Open, with McIlroy aiming for another victory at Royal Portrush.

The event holds significant prestige, with stories of past champions such as Shane Lowry, who experienced dramatic moments before clinching his title. The dynamic and competitive environment around The Open remains intense, underscoring why a practice round with a player of Koepka’s caliber would have been valuable for Woods.

What This Means for Woods and the Future of His Career

Tiger Woods’ 2019 experience underscores how even legends of the sport can face unexpected challenges, including communication breakdowns and the changing dynamics of golf relationships. His injury-induced absence from this year’s majors places his future return under scrutiny, with fans and analysts watching closely for his recovery progress.

Given Woods’ prominence as a Hall of Famer and his historical impact on golf, his eventual comeback will attract widespread attention. Meanwhile, younger stars and established players will continue shaping The Open’s storylines as they prepare for tournaments like the 2025 Open at Portrush.