Golf

Woods favored for 3rd Open win at St. Andrews

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-07-15 14:33

John Daly, Tiger Woods and Lee Trevino (L-R) of the US chat before posing with other past winners of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, July 13, 2010.[Agencies]

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – The British Open has begun with a tee shot by 1999 champion Paul Lawrie.

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Tiger Woods won at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005, and he's again a heavy favorite as golf's oldest major returns to the birthplace of golf. Still, the world's No. 1 player has yet to win since returning in April from a five-month layoff stemming from scandalous reports that he cheated on his wife with multiple women.

A steady rain soaked the course on Wednesday, forcing officials to postpone the Champions' Challenge. Twenty-six former winners were scheduled to play a four-hole exhibition, with the winning team earning $76,000 for its designated charity.

Under gray skies and an uncertain forecast, Lawrie opened with a tee shot down the middle toward the famous Swilcan Burn.