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.