Woods Set for Defense of the Jug

As if the wind whipping off the Irish Sea and the 196 bunkers at Royal Lytham & St. Annes were not enough, Tiger Woods got another reminder that a new challenge awaits at the British Open.

Royal & Ancient Golf Club secretary Peter Dawson called Woods’ agent Tuesday with an important message: We need you to return the claret jug.

How long it leaves Woods’ possession is uncertain.

“I’m trying to get ready and hopefully play well this week and have a chance on Sunday,” Woods said. “That’s my main focus.”

After spending a week in Ireland fishing and playing in the elements common to golf’s oldest championship, Woods began preparing for defense of his British Open title with a practice round late Monday afternoon.

Along the way, a few fans trampled across the lush, dense rough as they tried to get a better view of the world’s No. 1 player.

“One of the officials scolded them for going through the rough,” Woods said. “They want to keep the rough up.”

There was hardly any rough at St. Andrews, where Woods set a British Open record by finishing at 19-under 269 to complete the career Grand Slam. There were plenty of bunkers, not that Woods could tell--he never hit into one last year during his historic romp.

If anything, Woods’ 12th-place finish in the U.S. Open--followed by two PGA Tour events outside the top 10--has left some people wondering what kind of game he will bring to Royal Lytham when the tournament begins Thursday.

Not to worry, Woods said.

“It was something very small in my swing, which unfortunately led to other breakdowns within the swing,” Woods said. “Once I fixed that, everything has seemed to come back, and I’m starting to hit the ball the way I know I can.”

Thomas Bjorn, who played a practice round with Woods on Tuesday, sized up the 156-man field as a test among 155 “good” players and “one that is just a bit out of this world.”

Woods has fond memories of Lytham. He played here as a 20-year-old amateur in the ’96 Open and had a 66 in the second round, a turning point in his career. It was a moment Woods knew his game was ready for the next step.

“All of a sudden, it felt like it came together,” he said. “I was able to play well, then went on to win the [U.S.] Amateur that year. Then, I knew it was time to go [professional].”