Young guns no longer fazed by Tiger

Carnoustie: Tiger Woods set the British Open alight with a vintage six-under 66 in Saturday’s third round but he no longer possesses the fear factor that will send a shiver down the spine of his rivals, according to Tony Jacklin.

Jacklin, who won the British Open in 1969 and the US Open in 1970, said: “It gives the whole tournament a different feel when Tiger plays like he did, there’s no doubt about that,” the 74-year-old Englishman said.

“But he’s got so many good players ahead of him, I don’t think they are in awe of him any more.

“There’s more of a human element about Tiger these days. Nothing stays the same forever but it’s great to see him in with a shout of winning,” Jacklin added.

“He said earlier this week the British Open was probably his best chance to win a major again, the way the course is set up, but if the wind starts to blow as hard as it is forecast, it will make all the players think a lot more.

“I’m in awe of these young guys, that they can hit five and six-irons off the tee at the 248-yard 16th. I don’t quite understand it. It’s a very different game to the one we played in my era.”