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The C word – Carnoustie – was flicked away without a frown and when someone addressed him as Tiger he merely smiled, albeit rather wistfully He was asked if a rising wind would help Woods. "It all depends how he plays; if he plays well, he can win anywhere," Garcia said.Soon enough, he was immersed in the crisis of his friend. He was told that Rodriguez was comfortable but would require an operation on his shattered ankle Garcia was too distressed to make a statement. He is due to tee off at 1.58pm today, nearly five hours after the Tiger.
Hours which, you have to suspect, will drag terribly on the spirit of golf's most turbulent prince, trapped, for the moment at least, by the pain of a stricken friend – and life in the shadow of Tiger Woods.. It is doubtful that Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke have been accused of not being hungry enough before. Europe's biggest-hitters are also known as the biggest-eaters and, although all three have shed pounds in their quest to gain a first major, none of them are in danger of being diagnosed with malnourishment. It is doubtful that Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke have been accused of not being hungry enough before. Europe's biggest-hitters are also known as the biggest-eaters and, although all three have shed pounds in their quest to gain a first major, none of them are in danger of being diagnosed with malnourishment. The two-times major champion Tony Jacklin, who won his only Open here 32 years ago, has diagnosed all three with a "beating disorder". They are, the former Ryder Cup captain asserted, living in a comfort zone on the European Tour and have lost the "hunger" to win a major.None of them fancied getting into a ruck with such an eminent figure as Jacklin yesterday, especially as the wind whistling around the course gave them plenty to think about. But it is a criticism all three would love to answer in the most emphatic manner possible this week."I think we have proved over the last few years that we want to win badly enough," Westwood said.
"You do not win 24 times in four-and-a-half years without wanting to win badly enough Open Championships are not different. So that's blasted that one out of the water hasn't it? It is easy to say these things when you have won two majors."It is unfortunate that people believe what they read in the papers and that they believe one person's opinions I don't know what Tony was getting at. I can only tell you that I would dearly love to win a major, especially an Open. I think I have the game for it," Westwood added.Clarke was keen to back up his great friend's rebuff "I want to win majors. That is what I want to do."But it was not all long faces and one in particular was wearing a very peculiar expression – a smile.
Montgomerie has never been in such a cheerful mood on the eve of an Open "I have two good people to play with tomorrow I enjoy playing with Freddie Couples especially That is a good draw. I actually, for the first time in a long time, am looking forward to it. I hate to say it, but I am."He added: "I am hitting the ball quite straight off the tee I found that is a must round here, very much so. You just can't get round – if anything is off-line it will be a bogey at best There will be some high scores. I just hope I'm not one of them."One of the reasons for this strange disposition is that the pressure to win a major that has stalked him throughout his career has suddenly been lifted after 12 months that has only seen him win one title – the Irish Open in Cork three weeks ago.
The Scot does not take failure lightly, but he is enjoying the fringe benefits that mediocrity can bring."The public's expectation for me this week must be a little lower than normal That is good for me My own expectations have always been the same. I would not come here if I did not think I could win."Westwood has also experienced a rare slump since ending Montgomerie's record run of Order of Merit victories last year. He, too, enjoys the spotlight being shone in another direction "I don't feel any pressure at all It is nice to go into a major without any expectation It is like being a qualifier again. So, you know, it might just be the thing I need."For Clarke, however, the expectation has never been greater. The Ulsterman cruised to the European Open title in Dublin two weeks ago and his game, which looks heaven-sent for links golf, is peaking in perfect time for Lytham."If I can meet my expectations then I will have a good week I can only go out and play If my best is good enough this week then that is terrific.
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