Tiger Woods, a name synonymous with golfing greatness, has long been a towering figure in the sport, with 15 major championships and a legacy that transcends the fairways. Yet, even at the peak of his illustrious career, the three-time Open Championship winner found himself in an unexpected and amusing predicament at Royal Troon in the mid-2000s. A security guard, seemingly unaware of Woods’ global fame, denied him entry to the locker room for lack of credentials. What followed was a moment of pure Tiger confidence that has since become a legendary anecdote in golfing circles, perfectly capturing his charisma and quick wit.

The incident, recounted by PGA golfer Michael Kim on X last year, paints a vivid picture of Woods at the height of his powers. Kim shared, “At the Open Championship, players get a clip as credentials to get you into the locker room and everywhere else. Mid 2000s, Tiger forgot his clip one day, and he was walking into the locker room when the security person stopped him asking for his credentials. Tiger looks around, sees a massive billboard with his name and face on it, points to it, says, ‘That’s my credentials,’ and walked into the locker room.” This story, dripping with charm and audacity, underscores Woods’ larger-than-life presence during an era when “Tiger Mania” gripped the golfing world.

The Open Championship, one of golf’s four majors and the oldest of them all, has always held a special place in Woods’ heart. He clinched the coveted Claret Jug in 2000, 2005, and 2006, with his 2005 victory at St Andrews marking his second career Grand Slam. His dominance during this period was unparalleled, as he spent a record 683 weeks as the world’s number one golfer. Yet, this encounter with a security guard reveals a human side to the legend—a moment where even the most recognizable face in golf had to prove his identity. It’s a tale that resonates with fans, blending humor with the reminder that no one, not even Tiger Woods, is above the occasional reality check.

Fast forward to 2025, and Woods’ relationship with The Open Championship remains complex. The 49-year-old golf icon missed this year’s tournament at Royal Portrush, sidelined by an Achilles rupture sustained in March. This injury, coupled with multiple surgeries on his back and lower limbs, has limited Woods to a part-time schedule on the PGA Tour, with his focus primarily on the majors. His absence from Portrush, the site of Shane Lowry’s triumphant 2019 victory, was felt deeply by fans who still yearn for glimpses of the golfer who redefined the sport. Despite his physical setbacks, Woods’ legacy at The Open endures, with his three titles placing him among the tournament’s elite.

Reflecting on his last appearance at The Open in 2024 at Royal Troon, Woods admitted to struggling. “It wasn’t very good. I made a double there at two and I was just fighting it all day. I never really hit it close enough to hit birdies and I made a lot of bogeys,” he told reporters after missing the cut, marking his third consecutive major without advancing to the weekend. Yet, even in disappointment, Woods remained optimistic about his recovery. “I’ve gotten better even though my results haven’t shown it, but physically I’ve gotten better, which is great. I need to keep progressing like that and eventually start playing more competitively and start getting into the competitive flow again,” he said. This resilience, a hallmark of Woods’ career, continues to inspire fans and players alike.

The security guard incident, while lighthearted, also highlights the phenomenon of “Tiger Mania” that swept through golf in the early 2000s. As another golfer recalled in a separate account, “Everything that went on around, the ‘Tiger Mania’ it was called back then, it was just so much. It was so new to golf, or at least to me at that point. I just don’t think we’d seen anything like that.” Woods’ ability to command attention, both on and off the course, was unprecedented. His competitive edge was equally formidable. Stories abound of Woods engaging in psychological gamesmanship during practice rounds, challenging opponents with impossible shots to assert his dominance. “He’d hit the wrong club. He’d challenge you. You’d hit a good shot and he’s like, ‘But can you draw it and hold it up against the wind like that?’ And you can’t,” one player noted, illustrating Woods’ relentless drive to outshine his peers.

Today, Woods’ career is at a crossroads. At nearly 50, with a body battered by years of injuries, he faces mounting questions about his future in the sport. Scottish golfing legend Colin Montgomerie, who competed against Woods during his prime, recently suggested it might be time for the American to retire. “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him. There is none of that now,” Montgomerie told The Times. Yet, Woods has pushed back against such sentiments, emphasizing his love for the game and his determination to compete as long as he feels capable. His 2019 Masters victory, a stunning comeback after years of personal and physical struggles, remains a testament to his enduring will.

The Open Championship itself continues to evolve, with Royal Portrush’s 2025 edition showcasing a new generation of stars like Scottie Scheffler, who has drawn comparisons to Woods for his dominance. Scheffler’s recent Claret Jug victory, coupled with his 149 weeks as world number one, echoes the kind of supremacy Woods once wielded. Yet, as BBC Sport noted, “Scheffler is conquering the men’s game like nobody since Woods in his pomp.” The torch may be passing, but Woods’ influence lingers, from his unmatched records to anecdotes like the Royal Troon security clash that keep his legend alive.

For fans on platforms like Facebook, stories like Woods’ cheeky response to the security guard are the kind of shareable, nostalgic content that sparks engagement. They offer a glimpse into a time when Woods was untouchable, a global icon whose every move captivated audiences. The image of him pointing to a billboard with his face and name, declaring it his credentials, is not just a funny anecdote—it’s a snapshot of a man who knew his worth and wasn’t afraid to show it. Such moments resonate because they humanize a legend while reinforcing his mythic status.

As Woods continues his recovery, the golfing world waits to see when he’ll return to the fairways. His absence from the 2025 majors, including The Open, has only heightened anticipation for his next chapter. Will he defy the odds once more, as he did at Augusta in 2019? Or will his legacy rest on the unforgettable moments he’s already given us, like that bold encounter at Royal Troon? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Tiger Woods remains a singular force in golf, capable of turning even a mundane run-in with security into a story for the ages.