Open chiefs expect Woods to start

British Open chiefs are confident Tiger Woods will take part in this year's tournament at St Andrews as he bids to become the first player to win three titles there.

World No 1 Woods returned to action at the Masters three weeks ago after five months out following sex scandals which shattered his clean-cut image.

After receiving a warm welcome from the vast majority of fans at Augusta during the Masters, Woods will play in North Carolina this week and has already committed himself to next week's Players Championship in Florida and June's US Open at Pebble Beach.

The American star is yet to confirm his participation in the British Open but he has fond memories of St Andrews after winnning by eight shots at the Scottish course in 2000 and by five shots in 2005.

And Royal and Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson said on Tuesday: "Entries close on May 27 and in a normal year he would not have entered yet.

"I am absolutely certain he will be with us."

Security arrangements for Woods are to be discussed with the police, as is always the case, and Dawson admitted he was glad Augusta National and not the Royal and Ancient staged the player's high-profile comeback.

Source:ChinaDaily