Carnoustie, Scotland: Tiger Woods, back at the British Open this week for the first time since 2015, will begin his campaign in Thursday’s opening round at Carnoustie in a three-ball with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and Russell Knox of Scotland.
“It has been a while and I’ve certainly missed it,” former world No. 1 Woods told reporters on Monday. “This is the oldest tournament we have in our sport.
“Carnoustie is special. This is my fourth time playing it as a tournament. From my first time coming here as an amateur to being back now, it’s just amazing how this course doesn’t change.
“It’s probably the most difficult one we play in the whole rotation,” added Woods.
The 42-year-old American, world No. 16 Matsuyama and Knox, winner of the Irish Open two weeks ago, will tee-off at 1521 local time.
Fourteen-time major champion Woods, who won the British Open in 2000, 2005 and 2006, has missed the last two editions because of a back problem.
Fellow American Jordan Spieth launches his title-defence along with Justin Rose of England and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy must wait to tee-off with Australia’s Marc Leishman and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark.
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson will be joined in the group by Sweden’s Alex Noren and fellow American Charley Hoffman.
The honour of striking the first shot of the championship falls to 1985 winner Sandy Lyle.
The 60-year-old Scot, making his 43rd appearance in the tournament, will tee-off at 0635 in the company of Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Andy Sullivan of England.
Woods said that he and longtime rival Phil Mickelson are “still working” on a $10 million ‘winner-takes-all’ match.
“We are still working on it and it’s not there yet but we are trying to make it happen,” said Woods after playing several practice holes.
“Phil and I are friends and we are always trying to make each other uncomfortable and needle each other,” Woods added.
Between them, the two Americans have won 19 major championships, although Woods has 14 to Mickelson’s five.
The pair’s hauls include both British Open and US Masters titles.
Patrick Reed, this year’s Masters champion, recently joked he would only watch Woods tackle Mickelson if they each put up their own money.
When this point was put to him on Sunday, a laughing Woods replied: “Of course, that is what Patrick would like to see and it would be good of him to put up that money.”
