Tiger happy to see the "nice" side of Carnoustie

The world number one, who will be bidding for his third successive triumph in the world's oldest major, was undone by the 'Carnasty' rough when the Open was last played at the east coast venue in 1999, finishing seventh in a tournament won by Paul Lawrie.

Organisers have not allowed the rough to get out of hand this time around and, after a first practice round on Sunday, Woods declared the old links to be an excellent test of golf.

"It's really nice, really fair," Woods said. "Has it changed from the last time I was here? -- you might say that!"

Tiger record of Carnoustie
"As an amateur, I played Scottish Opens there in 1995 and 1996, and thought it was one of the best courses I've ever played. Then, I came back and played the Open Championship in 1999 and my opinion changed.

Although I tied for seventh, it was probably the hardest British Open course I have ever played - even harder than Muirfield. The set-up was unfair and ridiculous. I remember stepping off the fairway at No. 6 and it was nine yards wide in the lay up area. That's not much room when you have to hit a 4-iron in that space. It's still a great course, but I hope the R&A has learned a lesson.

The 17th hole is a little weird, as well. There are two burns that you have to fit the ball between. Down-wind, it becomes a very tricky tee shot. I know they have been getting a lot of rain in Scotland, so I don't know how the set up is going to be"
- from Tigers July newsletter.

Former Open winner Sandy Lyle has meanwhile backed Woods to celebrate the recent birth of his daughter Sam by winning his 13th major here.

"For someone who has not grown up on links courses, Tiger's ability to play on them has never failed to amaze me," said Lyle.

"His course management is so good. He generally comes over earlier and plays the Irish courses like Tom Watson used to do and he adapts very quickly to links and his record proves that.

"When you get someone like a Tiger or a Tom Watson, when he was playing well, they just seem to perform so well when they play in the Open Championship, even though they play on a different course every year."

Lyle added to Woods's praise for the course.

"The course is very good, playing very fair and everything that was said about the course eight years ago has been taken to heart and it has been sorted out. It is long in places and there is a run on the fairways but the greens are very good.

"It will be a test but it is an open competition and the course could suit a number of players. It brings a lot more players in to the game rather than it being so tight that you are down to a handful of potential winners.

"The wind will be a factor but there will be a lot of big-hitters out here who hit the ball a million miles with no nerves so we will see. But in general, course conditions are as good as you can get."

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