Tiger Woods Says Masters Win 'Took a Lot Out of Me' Entering 2019 British Open

Tiger Woods says he is heading into the 2019 British Open on Thursday still searching for his best form because his sensational Masters win earlier this year took a toll on him.

The 43-year-old won his 15th major title—his first in 11 years—at Augusta National in Georgia in April, but he has struggled somewhat in the months since.

Woods told reporters on Tuesday: "Well, getting myself into position to win the Masters ... it took a lot out of me. That golf course puts so much stress on the system."

On his game, he added:

"It's not quite as sharp as I'd like to have it right now. My touch around the greens is right where I need to have it.

"I still need to get the shape of the golf ball a little bit better than I am right now, especially with the weather coming in and the winds are going to be changing. I'm going to have to be able to cut the ball, draw the ball, hit at different heights and move it all around."

Woods will take part in the Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland having played in just three events since his Masters victory.

In the first of those, at the PGA Championship, he failed to make the cut after finding himself five over par after two rounds. He then finished tied for ninth at the Memorial Tournament before ending the U.S. Open joint-21st.

Woods has never played at Royal Portrush—which is hosting the Open for the first time since 1951—outside of the practice he has been garnering since Sunday.

Per Ron Mintz of the PGA Tour, Woods said he's still learning about the course:

Golf Channel's Tiger Tracker account expressed concern about Woods' readiness:

Many of his competitors will be similarly inexperienced when it comes to Royal Portrush, but they'll be entering the tournament having played more golf in recent months.

Unless it can all come together for Woods heading into the weekend, it seems unlikely he'll be among those putting in a serious challenge for the Claret Jug.