The former world No 1 skipped the US Open last month to be ready for "at least one more run at a high level" around the historic Old Course, where Woods completed the career Grand Slam in 2000 and enjoyed further success in 2005.

Any hopes of a historic third St Andrews victory and fourth Open title quickly evaporated with a six-over 78 on the opening day, while a three-over 75 in the second round ensured Woods would miss the cut in The Open for just the fourth time in his career.

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"It was very emotional for me," Woods told Sky Sports. "I have been coming here since 1995. I think the next Open here comes around in 2030 and I don't know if I will be physically able to play by then. To me, it felt like this may have been my last Open at St Andrews.

"The ovation and warmth from the fans was an unbelievable feeling. I understand what Jack [Nicklaus] and Arnold [Palmer] had gone through in the past, and I was kind of feeling that way in there at the end. The collective warmth and understanding - they understand what golf is all about and what it takes to be Open champion.

"I've been lucky enough and fortunate enough to have won this twice here. It felt very emotional, just because I don't know what my health will be like. I feel like I will be able to play future Opens but I don't know if I will be able to play long enough when it comes back around here."

Woods avoided a repeat of his opening-day double-bogey at the first as he started his round with a two-putt par, with a 30-foot birdie at the third then cancelled out with a bogey at the next.

The three-time Champion Golfer of the Year made a three-putt par at the fifth after leaving his initial eagle try five feet from the pin, with Woods bogeying the next after finding a bunker off the tee.

A run of nine consecutive pars was ended when Woods double-bogeyed the par-four 16th, dropping him to nine over, although the 46-year-old then holed from eight feet to avoid carding another bogey at the next.

Huge galleries lined the 18th fairway to pay tribute to Woods, who missed a five-foot birdie opportunity on his final hole before looking visibly emotional as he received a standing ovation from the Scottish crowd.

"I made my share of mistakes," Woods admitted. "I struggled again to get the feel of the greens and left a lot of putts short - same as yesterday. I hit a couple of poor shots, ended up in bad stops, and again didn't get anything going.

"I needed to shoot a low one today and I certainly did not do that, hence I won't be around on the weekend."

What next for Woods?

A missed cut at The Open follows a 47th-place finish on his return to action at The Masters in April and a mid-tournament withdrawal from the PGA Championship in May, where he carded a third-round 79, with Woods not sure when he will next return to competitive action.

"I'm not retiring from the game," Woods said post-round. "But I don't know if I will be physically able to play back here again when it comes back around. I'll be able to play future Opens, yes, but eight years' time, I doubt if I'll be competitive at this level.

"It's a struggle just playing just the three events I played this year. That in itself was something I'm very proud of, that I was able to play these three events considering what has transpired.

"Hopefully we do more hard work and give myself some more chances next year to play a few more events. I have nothing, nothing planned. Zero. Maybe something next year. I don't know. But nothing in the near future, this is it. I was just hoping to play this one event this year.

"And I was lucky enough, again, got three events in. And they're all majors. So I feel very fortunate to have had the things happen this way and the struggles I've been through to get to this point."

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