hoylake

Tiger Woods left the best to last as he closed with a stunning eagle to prowl just one stroke off the British Open first-round lead held by Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell on Thursday. The world’s top player opened with a bogey and looked out of sorts for most of his round over a Royal Liverpool course that was hosting the world’s oldest tournament for the first time in 39 years.

Former champion Ernie Els, yet to win this year, moved into a seven-way tie for the early lead with a four-under-par 68 in the British Open first round on Thursday. Determined to shake off a loss of form following a knee injury last season, the big South African rattled up six birdies and two bogeys in near-perfect scoring conditions at Hoylake.

Former champion Ernie Els is fully recovered from the knee injury which caused him to miss last year’s British Open and says he is ready to return to the winner’s enclosure. ”My knee is really good. It’s been almost a year now, almost to the day, since I hurt it,” the world number eight told reporters on Tuesday.

Rising South African star Trevor Immelman heads into this week’s British Open knowing he might have to abandon his challenge mid-tournament if he is to witness the birth of his first child. Immelman desperately wants to be at his wife Carminita’s side, but he admitted on Monday that might not be possible if the baby decides to arrive a few days ahead of schedule.