Tiger Woods� absence gives players opportunity of major honours, says South African

The wide Open. The absence of the greatest player in the world has only added to the frisson of excitement surrounding this week's championship. Well, among the playing fraternity at least. With Tiger Woods currently convalescing after a knee operation, the best of the rest are struggling to keep the smiles off their faces as they prepare themselves for the challenges of a blustery Birkdale. Ernie Els exudes affability at the best of times, but was positively chipper yesterday as he reflected on the prospect of a Tiger-less tournament.

"I'm not overly disappointed that he's not here," grinned the South African. "The thought of him around is quite ominous, especially coming down the stretch or even preparing for a last round when he's in the mix. There's definitely a thought of him in your mind all the time.

"For the tournament itself it is a big blow. For world golf not to have the No.1 player, and especially as he won the US Open last month, we're definitely going to miss him. But, as a player, like a lot of other players, it feels very different. It's the first major I think he's missed since he started playing as a pro, 11-12 years ago. It's different. It's very different."

It is six years since Els last won the Open, in a play-off at Muirfield. Three top-five finishes since, including fourth at Carnoustie last year, is enough to suggest that he will be a serious contender once again. While not under-playing his own ambitions, the 38-year-old believes there are dozens of players with a realistic opportunity to hoist the claret jug.

"You're talking about 30-40 players who now have a chance," he reflected. "I think Tiger is so far ahead in the race and we've kind of sagged back a little bit. Phil Mickelson is still the true No.2 in the world. But there's quite a lot of players in the mix to really stake a claim to be a favourite. In golf anyone can win. Graeme McDowell winner of the Barclay's Scottish Open on Sunday, for instance, could win this week. It's an interesting championship. For once I think everybody can be excited."

Like Woods, the South African also damaged his cruciate ligament, in a boating accident in July 2005, and underwent reconstructive surgery. Els claims that the world No.1 faces a prolonged and tortuous journey back to fitness. "He's focusing on rehabbing his knee just now and he's got a tough couple of months ahead of him," said Els.

"For a guy as active as Tiger to be stationary right now will not be a lot of fun, I know that. But he's in great shape and he'll come back when he is ready. I came back a little early. I was a little bit stubborn. I had a date in December set in my mind that I wanted to get back for and I maybe returned a little too early. But I'm sure Tiger will only come back maybe a month before the US Masters next April."

Els, one of an impressive band of 13 South Africans who will be competing this week, played Birkdale two weeks ago and formulated his game plan. "The greens are probably a little faster and more firm. The rough is up so you're going to have to hit problematic shots. But the course itself is not too long. There are a lot of doglegs, so you've got to position your tee shots. Your second shots are going to be the scoring ones this week. Other than that it's just pure links, links bunkers and the rolling dunes. It's a very testing layout."

As Els spoke yesterday, the wind buffeted the press centre. He believes the conditions could prove to be a major factor. "In many ways I think it will be a survival test; 1998 was kind of like that. If you got on the wrong end of the draw, you were in trouble. I was on the tough side of the draw and it showed in my scores he finished tied 28th.

"I think this week is going to be very similar. You just hope and pray that you're going to get the best of the weather. If you get four or five hours of play where you feel you can get lucky with the weather, you've got to take your break."

In 2004, Els lost in a play-off to Todd Hamilton. The same fate befell Sergio Garcia last year, who missed a par putt on the 18th to win and then succumbed in a play-off to Padraig Harrington.

Garcia and Els used to be sponsored by the same company and have been friends for years. The South African is confident Garcia, who won The Players' Championship in May and boasts a remarkable six top-10 Open finishes in the last seven years, will be in contention again this week.

"I think his game is in a very good state at the moment," said Els. "I feel that his putting has come on a long way. I think that's one of the reasons why he won this year. He's always been a very good ball-striker and loves links conditions. Of the young players, he's got by far the best record in this championship.

"In 2004, I was exactly where he was. Losing a play-off is very tough to take, but he's young and he's going to have lots more opportunities. I think he's got a good chance this week."