Tiger Goes In for a Troon-Up

Actual British Open weather arrived at Royal Troon on Tuesday, two days before the British Open begins. Maybe it was only a practice round.

Besides wind and rain, the temperature was cool enough to chill a fine bottle of white and sent a lot of players scurrying off the course to find someplace warm.

Tiger Woods spent some time surveying Troon with his golf clubs, a trek that included a memorable visit to the 126-yard No. 8, the so-called “Postage Stamp,” where Woods left his ball in a bunker.

Then there was Woods’ experience on No. 11, called “the Railway,” oddly enough, because there are railroad tracks running alongside it.

“The train came by and you can definitely feel the vibrations on the tee,” Woods said.

So what was the sensation?

“Different,” Woods said.

And so are the expectations surrounding Woods in his third British Open appearance, but his first as a professional.

Woods tied for 68th at St. Andrews in 1995, when he closed with a 78 and finished seven over par. Last year at Royal Lytham, Woods tied for 22nd and finished three under, eight shots behind Tom Lehman.

Lytham also represented a turning point for Woods. His 66 in the second round convinced him he ought to turn pro.

“It was very important because I thought I could really play after that,” he said. “It definitely gave me the confidence. I really had not shot a low round before then.”

Of course, six victories later, Woods has had a whole lot of them since. He wasn’t a factor the first two times he showed up at the British Open, but that has all changed now.

According to conventional wisdom, Woods is among the favorites to win the 126th Open Championship, which is being held at Troon for the first time since 1989. A crowded list of contenders also includes Colin Montgomerie, Ernie Els, Lehman, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Nick Price, Steve Elkington and Davis Love III.

Woods, who drew an afternoon tee time Thursday and a morning tee time Friday, is playing with Elkington and Bernhard Langer.

His first trips around Royal Troon taught Woods there are blind tee shots on three consecutive holes (10 through 12), that the back nine plays tougher because it’s usually into the wind, and that the British Open would be a good major to win.

“Basically this is the home of golf,” Woods said. “This is probably the biggest tournament to win in the world, just because of the fact that it is definitely the world Open. You get the best players in the world here, and the traditions, and you play on traditional golf courses. And that’s what it’s all about.”

Of course, it’s also about money. The $2.4-million tournament is the third major of the year. It’s also the 25th major that Montgomerie has played and he’s still looking for his first victory . . . not that he’s counting or anything.

“I don’t feel under pressure in any way, shape or form,” Montgomerie said. “The word pressure is mentioned mostly by the likes of yourself, and the more people mention it, the worse it gets. So just avoid the word pressure from now on, OK?”

Absolutely. The problem for Montgomerie is that he grew up playing Royal Troon and his father is the secretary of the club.

“I know what I’m doing around this golf course,” he said. “It’s sort of obvious I’m OK physically and technically. It’s just mentally whether I can cope with the public pressure and the pressure that’s been put on. We’ll see.”

Didn’t he just say the “P” word?

In any event, it’s going to be an interesting ride for the world’s best golfers this week. Montgomerie, who plays with Tom Watson and Mark McNulty the first two days, might find Watson useful as a five-time British Open champion.

Elkington doesn’t have a British Open title yet, either, but he said he keeps giving himself chances, so it can’t be all bad.

Elkington hurt his shoulder at the U.S. Open and didn’t play in the Western Open to rest it. He said the injury still affects him, but not his swing.

As for swings, Woods has the one that many of the players are pointing to this week. From Norman to Price to Montgomerie to Elkington, they all said Woods is the favorite.

Woods said he tries to win every week. He hasn’t, but he has come close: 13 weeks, four tournament victories this year.

In fact, since he turned pro the first week of September, Woods has won six times, not including a victory in Thailand. No one else has won more than twice.

“Overall, I am very happy,” Woods said.

There’s nothing like six victories, a major title, worldwide acclaim and about $90 million in endorsements to brighten someone’s mood. If everyone is correct, Woods may feel even better Sunday night.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

British Open Facts

* Where: Troon, Scotland.

* When: Thursday-Sunday.

* Course: Royal Troon Golf Club (7,079 yards, par 71).

* TV: ESPN (Thursday-Friday, 6-11 a.m.) and ABC (Saturday, 7-11 a.m.; Sunday, 6:30-10:30 a.m.)