Faldo And Woods Tee Off Together
World number one Tiger Woods will begin the defence of his Open Championship along side former 3 times winner Nick Faldo.
Woods tees off with Nick Faldo and Shingo Katayama at Hoylake on Thursday.
But Faldo, who has played just seven tournaments since finishing 11th behind Woods last year, knows he faces a difficult task.
“I need just a smidgen more than a week’s practice to take on Tiger. It won’t be much fun - head down, blinkers on,” he said.
“It’s not what I would have chosen, not when I am totally unprepared. It’s throwing me in the deep end of the spotlight but we will muddle on.”
“I’m swinging okay but my putting touch is non-existent. I’ve got to find that in two days. I had planned to play a little bit more but a lot of things happened.”
“Making the cut would be a start; do that and then do the best you can.”
Recent criticism that Faldo made of Woods’ revised swing on while commenting on US television went down badly with the American, but Faldo says the pair have made up.
“I’ve kissed him on both cheeks and then on his face!” said Faldo.
“I’m paid for my opinion and I’m entitled to my opinion. I’m going to be right sometimes and wrong sometimes but as long as it’s entertaining and the cheque hits the bank I’m happy.”
Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, runner-up behind Woods at last year’s championship, will tee off in the company of big-hitting John Daly and Australia’s Stuart Appleby.
