Tiger Woods has skipped the US Open to give himself the best chance of being fit for the 150th Open Championship Venue: St Andrews, Scotland Dates: July 14-17 Coverage: BBC TV, radio and online, on the BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport mobile app. Full coverage details.
“There he comes,” gasped an excited youngster, clambering up to a barrier behind the R&A clubhouse, phone in hand ready to snap a limping legend as he staggered towards a conveniently parked free car.
Tiger Woods had just caused the first roar of the Open week, finishing his practice round by driving the 18th green on the Old Course at St Andrews – his eagle putt coming up short.
Not that you’d know he’d completed his lap in such fine style if you’d witnessed the 46-year-old’s unsteady and weary stride towards the vehicle waiting to take him away.
All common sense suggests that Woods will not be a factor when the 150th Open is decided next Sunday night. But there is no doubt that he is the player most fans, young and old, still want to see.
And Woods is where he wants to be, at his favorite golf course located in the home of golf. It was only Sunday, with three full days of practice ahead, but he was still sending a buzz through the old gray city.
That electricity will pulse through the week as an unusual and young group of the world’s leading players look to emulate Woods’ feats when he dominated the 2000 and 2005 championships amid 15 major victories.
Scotty Scheffler, the current top player in the world, is taking advantage of his missed portion of the Scottish Open with an initial preview of the most revered golf course on the planet.
On the fourth he hit it low, his driver hovering behind the ball before accidentally knocking it off the peg. Not one of the small group of spectators resorted to the most banal golf trick of saying “one.”
This is a place where respect prevails and these fans were treated to a glorious fade drive, going left into the clear blue sky before landing and running to the perfect spot on the fairway.
And that is a key dimension of this historic championship. The old pitch is in shape to play at its best.
Fast and hard. It will be a running game, exploiting contours, avoiding bunkers like a week. Just as it was when golf was played on these grounds centuries ago.
There are fears that these modern day superstars will tear up this glorious golf land. Both par five holes are potentially reachable in two, while par four holes such as the sixth, ninth, 10th, 12th and 18th can be bogged down. A total of 72 is generous.
But with a bit of a breeze in the forecast, it will still be a test. Surely the smartest will do the job.
That was the way with Woods in 2000, when he was drawing with such precision. This was probably his best performance. He won by eight strokes to win the second leg of the Tiger Slam.
Steve Williams, his caddy at the time, told our All About The Open podcast on BBC Sounds that his boss played better at St Andrews than when he won the US Open by 15 shots the previous month.
The old course has a happy knack for identifying the best players in the world.
As well as Woods, Jack Nicklaus has won here twice, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Peter Thomson, Bobby Locke and Bobby Jones are proof that the best thrive in Fife.
Why? Because this course provides options, tactical questions and answers are as important as technique to make the most of your scoring opportunities.
Different styles of play can thrive. Relatively short-stroke Zac Johnson was the last winner at St Andrews in 2015, but long John Daly was champion on a windy week in 1995.
The winner this week will be someone who can handle parched, browning fairways. The rough is mostly beefy, thin and mottled.
There will be dignified and diabolical lies. Just as it should be.
Walking onto the pitch on the quiet Sunday before it is a joy, watching the players get to grips with the week ahead.
Viewers could hear Scotsman Bob McIntyre advising American Tom Hodge on where to get the best fish and chips – and don’t miss the haggis.
Others saw Poland’s Adrian Meronk practicing his drive from the back of the 17th green. The recent Irish Open winner took a close look at the underside of his club after hitting the fairway.
And what dramas might unfold on this penultimate and so often crucial par-4 hole? There are many contenders and with the course in classic condition we can reasonably expect a tight finish.
Then again we witnessed the processions of Woods and Louis Oosthuizen in 2010. The South African is playing the controversial LIV tour these days, which will inevitably be a big topic of the week.
The R&A fanned the flames by announcing they had disinvited two-time champion Greg Norman from the 150 celebrations – a move that puts the Saudi-funded breakaway firmly on the Open agenda.
These are the most turbulent times for the men’s professional game in living memory. But by Thursday, all the ingredients will be here at the home of golf to put those problems aside.
Opens are always special, St Andrews Opens are usually extra special and with a near perfect course setting and a favorable forecast this could be a much needed classic.
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