Stars ponder Woods’ absence

PHIL MICKELSON and Ernie Els yesterday offered differing views on the absence of world number one Tiger Woods from next week’s British Open Championship.

The duo, competing in this week’s £3million (€3.7m) Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, find themselves vying for the position of second favourite behind last year’s runner-up Sergio Garcia, and also seem at odds over the way the next Open champion will be perceived.

“Although we will miss him, the game of golf is there and the Open Championship will be played whether Tiger is there or not.

“On the other hand, the best player of this generation is not there and whoever is going to win next week is going to have to answer questions of ‘do you think you would have beaten Tiger if he was here?’”

Mickelson acknowledged Woods’ absence makes life a lot easier for those seeking Open glory, but believes a major winner is not solely defined by who else was in the field.

“I think it opens an opportunity for a number of players to come through and maybe win,” said the world number two.

“But if you look back at Jack Nicklaus’ 18 majors or Tom Watson’s eight, I don’t look back at the field, I just look back at the tournaments they’ve won.

“I haven’t won a major in a couple of years and it would certainly mean a lot to me to win an Open Championship.”