Big names like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson got off to a good start at the Open Championship on Thursday, with Woods putting on a solid performance with an even round to leave him second on the leaderboard, while Mickelson and a number of other players were close to the lead with the third round starting on Saturday. As it sits on Friday night, nine of the top 14 players that are within the top of the leaderboard have won a major, with Woods' 14 the most of the bunch.
Woods comes into the matchup having not won a major in years and he just signed a new deal with Nike, which could motivate him to capture his next major championship to close the gap on the record of 18. Woods was on the course early and often starting at the beginning of this week, as he had not played at Muirfield since posting his worst career score at the course back when the major was there in 2002. Woods said he felt good on the course after injuring his elbow in the US Open and despite not playing since then, he said there were no issues with his swing.
The Open Championship is the oldest major in the sport of golf and when players like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson descend on the course on Thursday, they will be taking part in the 16th occurrence of the event at the location and the first since 2002, which was won by Ernie Els, who is the defending champion for the tournament.
It has been five years since he won a major and that came at the US Open in 2008 in a playoff and since then it has been 20 tournaments and now wins for Woods. He has won four times this year on tour and many see that has Woods getting back to his old self, but he has yet to add a major since last taking it back at Torrey Pines. To catch up with Jack Nicklaus, Woods will have to start winning more and by doing so, he basically will need to beat Nicklaus at his own game, as the legend won four majors after age 37 and now that Tiger has reached that number, he has four to go to catch 18.
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The record for major wins looked like an inevitability for Woods before his sex scandal and now he must try and breakthrough for the win once again. Woods last won the Open Championship back in 2006 and now he will get the chance to do it again, this time in Scotland. Woods last won at Royal Liverpool and Muirfield will be its own challenge, as the wind will give the ball some extra distance. So far it appears as if the weather will cooperate somewhat and that will be good for Woods, as the weather at the US Open was rough.
Woods will open play with Graeme McDowell and former Open champ Louis Oosthuizen, while Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson will be playing together. McIlroy has not gotten things together much this year, although he said he is ready for the Open and the challenge it brings.