Tiger spotting only for the early-risers

As usual, the 29-year-old American, who won his first and so far only Open title by eight shots here five years ago, made his first appearance at the famous old university town a full week before the start of the tournament.

He nosed around the familiar seaside turf and took in the slight changes made, like the extra 164 yards in an attempt to neutralise the astonishingly long hitting of players like Woods, but reserved his first full scrutiny until Monday morning. At 6.30 a.m., he took to the first tee, one of the most photographed square feet in the game.

He had fooled all but a handful with the early start and they mainly numbered bleary eyed photographers, a very thin scattering of journalists and a phalanx of security and police officers.

For Woods, though, this signalled that the first mission was accomplished. He strode the first couple of holes with a jaunty spring in his step, unhindered by the hordes of his worldwide fan club.

The best golfer of his generation does not, however, often enjoy a round unaccompanied for long. Within an hour word got around and soon the gallery began to multiply.

Three hours later, at the final hole, a huge crowd was in position to welcome him home.

Woods’s solitude may not have lasted too long but his evident good mood certainly did. His swing looked in pretty good nick after a recent revamp which already reaped him his ninth major title, the U.S. Masters.

He chatted happily between shots with his playing partners, Jim Furyk and Mark O’Meara. (Reuters)