‘FAIRWAYS ARE FASTER THAN THE GREENS’

TIGER WOODS reckons Carnoustie’s fairways are faster than its greens.

But the three-time Claret Jug winner is undaunted by the firm conditions though, claiming they remind him of two of his previous victories.

The American star is back competing for The Open for the first time in three years.

He won previously at St Andrews in 2000 by eight shots and at sunburnt Hoylake in 2006, where he famously only hit one driver.

Now, after arriving in a scorched Scotland yesterday, the 14-time Major champion said the conditions were similar.

Woods, 42, speaking after eight holes of practice, assessed: “It is probably the most difficult course we play in the whole rotation.

“It is one of those risk and reward golf courses which is going to play narrow because it is so fast. The fairways are faster than the greens. I took a seven iron off the tee, I don’t do that very often but the ball is travelling.

“It was like this in 2000 and at Hoylake as well but we don’t really see the fairways this quick.

“This is different this week and it will be a lot of fun. It is going to be one of those weeks where I don’t think a lot of guys will be hitting woods off the tee because it is so quick.”

Woods missed The Open at Troon in 2016 when Henrik Stenson won and last year when Jordan Spieth triumphed at Birkdale.

But he is thrilled to be back in the UK for his first tilt at the trophy since missing the cut in 2015.

The world No.69, who has been dogged by back injuries, added: “It is our oldest tournament and coming here to Carnoustie, this is special.

“It has been a while and I’ve missed it. My back has been good, I have got to where it feels good every day.”