The hope for a glimpse of the old Tiger Woods quickly gave way in The Open at the Old Course

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — The first time we saw Tiger Woods smile during his first round of The Open on Thursday was on the ninth green of the Old Course.

It followed a successful birdie putt and a rare moment where mind and body worked in harmony. The sight of that smile gave encouragement to those watching that perhaps there was still hope of him finding another miracle from within, as he struggled to manage the wind, speed and intricacies of the course.

There were moments where he still stunned; those glimpses of what made Woods one of the finest players we’ve ever seen. But dotted throughout this 6-over 78 — a score that tied his worst round at St. Andrews in an Open since 1995 — were reminders of where he is now in life and in his career.

As you saw him limping around the course, attempting to roll back the years, there was a feeling you simply had to soak it all in while you could to prepare yourself for the day he can no longer hold back the tide.

There were echoes of Woods’ past everywhere around the Old Course this week, a gloriously optimistic concoction of nostalgia and expectation. The likes of Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy had spoken glowingly of how well Woods was hitting the ball. But when his second shot of the round found the Swilcan Burn and we walked to the second already 2 over on the day, it was as if the sky had clouded over.

The play dragged. Woods’ group frequently had to wait at the tee for the green to clear, leading to a 6-hour, 5-minute round.

“That was about the only good thing of it taking so long is that you get extra time out there with him,” said Matt Fitzpatrick, who was grouped with Woods and Max Homa.

So by the time Woods approached the ninth tee at 6 over, the expectation from those watching had shifted from hoping to witness the vintage Woods to pleading for him to produce one small piece of magic for the highlight reel. Something to cling on to, to tell whomever they’re closest to that they saw Tiger do that. Two birdies…