To the victor go the spoils, for decades on in some instances.

Tiger Woods offered a cutting remark toward Colin Montgomerie after Montgomerie said it might be time for the golf legend to walk away from the sport.

Woods told reporters he earned his exemption at the Open Championship, which tees off Thursday at Royal Troon Golf Club, thanks to his three wins. He then pointed to Montgomerie's inability to come out on top in the event.

In an interview with the Times' Rick Broadbent, Montgomerie reflected on Woods' general decline and how he's now a shell of the dominant force who once reigned supreme.

"There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it's very difficult to tell Tiger it's time to go," Montgomerie said. "... These guys only know Tiger Woods missing the cut and he's better than that, the best we've ever seen."

From a fan perspective, it is disheartening to see Woods play such a limited schedule and perform so badly when he does enter a notable event. He finished 60th in the Masters before missing the cut in the PGA Championship and U.S. Open this year.

That's the case with pretty much every star in the sport, though. There are a litany of missed cuts from Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer at major tournaments as they were in the twilight of their playing careers. Mickelson has missed seven cuts in majors since winning the 2021 PGA Championship.

Montgomerie's argument also presupposes things won't get better for Woods or that the stars won't align to give him at least one more memorable run. Tom Watson was 59 when he was the runner-up in the 2009 Open Championship.

Woods has unquestionably gained the right to end his career on his terms and utilize whatever tournament exemptions he carries. Event organizers are likewise thrilled to have him because of the following he still commands.

Tiger's legacy was affirmed long ago and nothing he does from this point forward will change the impact he had on golf.