Golf International Magazine Online

Nick Faldo has proven he can talk a good game, now he'll have to show he can still play as well.

A three-time British Open champion better known as a commentator for ABC these days, Faldo has been paired with defending champion Tiger Woods in the first two rounds of the Open championship at Hoylake.

Faldo, who has played just six tournaments this year and not made a halfway cut in any of them, lifted the Claret Jug in 1987, 1990 and 1992. Woods won 2000 and again last year, both at St. Andrews.

Faldo celebrates his 49th birthday this week and probably never expected to be thrust into the limelight in such a way. He has spent more time commentating on golf than playing it this season, his last event being back in April in China.

Last year Faldo was paired with the distinctly lower-profile duo of Australian Rod Pampling and American Chad Campbell. Playing with Woods should bring a bit more attention.

"I have to get used to the buzz again," admitted Faldo, who will captain Europe's Ryder Cup team in 2008. "I have played with him in a major before but it was a long time ago."

Woods himself will be playing just his third tournament since the Masters three months ago. His father died in May and he then missed the cut at the U.S. Open. Two weeks ago he finished runner-up at the Western Open.

Colin Montgomerie, runner-up to Woods at St Andrews a year ago and to Geoff Ogilvy after his closing double-bogey six at the U.S. Open five weeks ago, should draw a huge following as well.

The 43-year-old Scot has been paired with 1995 champion John Daly, and Australia's Stuart Appleby.

Luke Donald, who last year had Jack Nicklaus for company in his final appearance in a major, tees off this time with Ernie Els and Italian Edoardo Molinari, last year's U.S. Amateur champion.

If there is one player who could give Faldo some tips on playing in a high-profile group lately its Donald. He was paired with Woods in the first two rounds in 2003 and then Nicklaus at St Andrews last year in the Golden Bear's emotional farewell to the Open.

"It's a step down no matter who it is, there can't be any more attention than there was last year," Donald said. "But I wouldn't have given it up for anything, it's something I'll remember for ever, although the last two holes it was hard to concentrate. It took about 40 minutes to play the 18th."

Phil Mickelson, who also threw away a chance to win the U.S. Open with a double bogey at the 72nd hole, plays with Darren Clarke and Yasuharu Imano.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia, England's Paul Casey and Fred Couples are among the early groups on Thursday. It remains to be seen if Couples can make it after injuring his back last week and pulling out of the Scottish Open.

Asked if he would prefer to be in a star-studded pairing with Woods or Mickelson, Garcia seemed to prefer the group he had.

"I really don't care if it's one of them, that's perfect, and if not it doesn't matter," Garcia said. "But I would rather play with some friends of mine."

Padraig Harrington is paired with American Arron Oberholser and Australian Nick O'Hern, while fellow Dubliner Paul McGinley plays with 2001 champion David Duval and Hideto Tanihara.

European Order of Merit leader David Howell tees off with world number three Vijay Singh and American Zach Johnson, while last year's European Tour Rookie of the Year Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano is paired with Retief Goosen and five-time champion Tom Watson.