Tiger Woods & Paul Casey eye Open

American Tiger Woods  and Paul Casey of England, respectively first and third in the world rankings, are the favourites for The Open, which begins today at Turnberry, on Scotland's south-west coast.

Woods has won three tournaments since his return from an injury that kept him out of the game for more than a year, and has previously triumphed in the only major based outside of America three times.

Other Europeans who could also challenge for the title are the exciting young Ulsterman Rory McIlroy, England's Ian Poulter and Padraig Harrington of Ireland, who has won the last two consecutive Open Championships.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
John Hopkin, the Times: "No other course outside the United States has Turnberry's potent combination of demanding holes placed so exquisitely in a setting of jaw-dropping scenery. Some hold that even Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula in California would pale in comparison with this stretch of Scottish coastline. 'God, I love my office,' Tom Watson said yesterday, arriving on the 1st tee for his final practice round. Three Opens have been held at Turnberry and all three won by the best player in the world at the time: Watson after a titanic struggle with Jack Nicklaus in 1977; Greg Norman after a 63 in the second round in 1986; Nick Price after holing a 50-footer on the 71st green for an eagle in 1994."

Lawrence Donegan, the Guardian: "In short, a universal champion is needed at Turnberry this week, or at the very least a four-day masterpiece of sporting theatre that will re-establish the vitality of the professional game. This is a lot to ask for, but at least the portents are good. Turnberry has staged three Open championships in the past and every one has been a collector's item: Nick Price's gripping contest with Jesper Parnevik in 1994; Greg Norman's exhibition of golf in a rain-soaked summer of 1986; and, of course, the Duel in the Sun between Watson and Jack Nicklaus – an occasion that will live forever in the memory of those who were there. The Ailsa course has changed a great deal since then."

Mark Reason, Daily Telegraph: "It is 10 years now since Paul Lawrie won at Carnoustie and even that was a touch fluky. Maybe luck is what Britain needs. Nick Faldo won his first major when Paul Azinger bogeyed the final two holes. When Lawrie won in 1999, a mad Frenchman fell at the water jump. You don't have to be a complete fantasist to come up with a British winner. Westwood has been playing better and better in recent weeks and is a superb driver of the ball - a crucial attribute around Turnberry this week. Ian Poulter is another with his hands on the steering wheel. Both men know how to hang around. They know that they don't have to be brilliant to be up there on Sunday afternoon - just do not be daft." ·