Fans rue Woods' early start

Tiger Woods had the fans moaning and the marshalls jumping when he ignored the Ryder Cup timetable and set his own agenda this morning.

The world’s number one golfer was due to join the rest of his American team-mates to play the front nine holes at 9.00am on the final practice day at The Belfry.

But Woods was on the course at 6.45am with Mark Calcavecchia - his expected partner in the Ryder Cup - and the pair played the back nine holes of the Brabazon course.

Woods took the officials by surprise with his decision to play early and a small team of marshalls had to be assembled to accompany him on his practice round.

When spectators began arriving at the course later in the morning, they assembled at the first tee, unaware that Woods had already been out and played. But they were left disappointed as he failed to join his team-mates for the official practice round, and this angered many of the fans who had come here especially to see him.

Graham Black, who set off from Warrington at 5.30am, said: “It’s out of order. A lot of people will have just had a ticket for this practice day and wanted to see Tiger Woods - but he has already gone.”

Woods had given American team captain Curtis Strange a minor scare yesterday afternoon when he complained that his injured shoulder was causing him pain, and needed extensive treament from the team physios.

But he is expected to lead the charge for the holders of the trophy when the 34th Ryder Cup tees off with the first fourball match at 8.00am tomorrow.