The Open: Tiger Woods fit for Muirfield

TIGER Woods is “very confident” his recent elbow injury will not hinder his chances of a 15th major title in this week’s Open Championship at Muirfield.

Woods has not played since the US Open at Merion last month, where he exacerbated an injury to his left elbow first suffered during his victory in the Players Championship at Sawgrass in May.

“I started chipping and putting a little over a week ago and I’m full go for the British Open,” the world No.1 wrote on his official website.

“I’m very confident that my left elbow strain won’t be a problem and I will be able to hit all the shots I need to hit. That’s why I took the time off, so it could heal, and I would feel comfortable playing again.

“I’m still taking anti-inflammatory medication for my elbow and getting treatment, but the big thing at Muirfield Golf Club will be to avoid the rough.”

Woods was on course for the Grand Slam the last time Muirfield staged the Open in 2002 after winning the Masters and US Open, but saw his hopes blown away by a third round of 81 in terrible weather.

“Muirfield is one of the hardest courses in Scotland. I love the creativity of being able to hit shots and utilise the ground as an asset. That’s something that we don’t have in the States; we don’t really play that game here.

“I loved playing links golf right away. My first time over here was in 1995 playing Carnoustie and St Andrews. That was a pretty good education.”