The 42-year-old, who had five prescription drugs in his system, later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and will spend a year on probation and undergo a diversion programme.

Woods only returned to competitive golf in November but held a one-shot lead with eight holes to play in the Open at Carnoustie and finished just two behind Brooks Koepka after a thrilling final round of 64 at Bellerive Country Club.

"I was in contention in the last two majors and would never have foreseen that a year ago and I'm just so thankful to be here," Woods said.

"I didn't know what my schedule would be. I didn't know how many tournaments I would play this year, or if I would even play. So each tournament brought about its own challenges.

"At the beginning of the year if you would say I would have a legit chance to win the last two major championships, I'd say with what swing? I didn't have a swing at the time. I had no speed. My putting was OK but God, I hadn't played in two years. So it's been a hell of a process for sure."

I can’t thank the fans in St. Louis enough for packing the course all week and for their enthusiasm and support. It meant so much to me. pic.twitter.com/jQSkSCSYdM

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 13, 2018

Woods began the final round four shots behind Koepka and closed to within a shot three times, but Koepka crucially birdied the 15th and 16th before a wayward drive on the par-five 17th cost Woods the chance of a birdie himself.

"I was pretty ticked at the British Open," Woods added. "I had the lead there. This one I never quite got to the lead. I was always trailing. I had to keep making birdies. I had to go get it and I tried.

"The drive on 17... I didn't drive it good all day. I was struggling with my golf swing. I warmed up hitting it left, I was hitting it right. So I knew this was going to be a struggle to try and piece together around and I did."

PA