Tiger Woods knew it was coming. He must've been thinking about it, in the minutes directly beforehand, or the hours, or even the days, weeks and months. Thinking about what it would mean to him, planning exactly how he wanted to wave goodbye.
Finishing his second round of the 150th Open Championship well off the cutline, the only thing that separated him from his final tee shot at St. Andrews to his long journey homeward was golf's most famous bridge — originally built some 700 years ago to help shepherds curry their livestock across the Swilcan Burn.
As he walked toward the Swilcan Bridge, the crowds swelled around him, in the grandstands and on the street and hanging out of hotel room windows, not just to catch a glimpse of him, but to offer their undying gratitude. His playing partners, Matt Fitzpatrick and Max Homa, instantly knew their role, slowing their gaits and holding back as Woods approached the landmark.
When he reached it, he removed his cap and waved it to those fans but just continued walking rather than lingering on the bridge to soak it all in.