Foolish to ignore Tiger for Open, say Irish duo

Both Rory McIlroy and Pádraig Harrington insist it would be foolish to write off Tiger Woods’ chances of capturing a 15th Major Championship at next week’s British Open at Royal Liverpool.

The Irish players were responding to recent comments, particularly those of double US Open winner Curtis Strange, who suggested Woods “would be lying to himself” if he went into next week’s championship saying he could win.

Woods has contested just one event since his back surgery where he missed the halfway cut at the recent Quicken Loans National at Congressional. The former long-time World number One is returning to Royal Liverpool for a first time since capturing an emotional third British Open and just weeks after the passing of his father and mentor, Earl.