NOTEBOOK British Open

Woods not expecting much conversation: British bookmakers were up to their tricks Tuesday by offering some unusual side bets for the British Open. None was more tantalizing than defending champion Tiger Woods and three-time champion Nick Faldo playing in the same group. William Hill is offering 6-to-4 odds that they will not shake hands on the first tee Thursday, and 25-to-1 odds that Woods and Faldo will come to blows at some point during the first round. Those odds started at 100-to-1. Is it all overblown? Woods and Faldo were never close, and have only played together twice in competition -- the first round of the 1997 Masters, and the first round of the Accenture Match Play Championship, which Woods won handily. But there has been much focus on Faldo criticizing Woods' swing while working for ABC Sports at the 2005 Buick Invitational, and Woods made it clear Tuesday that he doesn't expect much social time Thursday or Friday. "We don't really talk much," he said. "I've only played with him two times since I've been a pro, and there wasn't a lot of talking there, either." Both are intense while playing, anyway. Faldo walks quickly and keeps his head down. Woods generally is the model of concentration. Woods was asked what his reaction would be if Faldo wants to chat. "Surprised," he said.
Memories of Ernie: Three players at the British Open have hoisted trophies at Royal Liverpool, even though it hasn't been part of the British Open rotation since 1967. Paul Broadhurst won a Pro-Celebrities tour event in the early '90s. Mikko Ilonen of Finland won the 2000 British Amateur. And then there's Ernie Els. In a corner hallway of the clubhouse are framed black-and-white photos, including one from the Tillman Trophy in 1988, a junior event. Standing in the middle, tall and gangly with an awkward smile and mussed hair was Els. "It was a very long time ago; it was almost 20 years ago," Els said. "I remember winning that tournament in a playoff, but that's about it. I can't remember the winning score or anything."
Immelman out: Trevor Immelman, coming off a win at the Western Open, won't get a chance to go for two in a row. The 26-year-old South African dropped out of the British Open after learning that his wife, Carminita, would be undergoing a C-section to deliver the couple's first child. Immelman was trying to catch a flight home, while first alternate Andrew Buckle of Australia was trying to get to Liverpool as soon as possible with the tournament beginning Thursday.
Remember me: After Ben Curtis finished his work on the putting green Tuesday, he took his bag to the storage room at Royal Liverpool for safekeeping overnight. There was only one problem. The guard stationed at the room didn't recognize the 2003 British Open champion. "I need to see a caddie or player badge," the guard said. Curtis realized that his sunglasses, propped up on the bill of his Kansas City Chiefs cap, were blocking his badge. He lifted up his glasses and was promptly let into the room.
Breakthrough for a Brit: It's been seven long years since a British golfer won the British Open, but maybe it's time for a breakthrough. Five Brits, including perennial favorite Colin Montgomerie, are ranked among the top 50 in the world. David Howell is the best of the lot at No. 10, followed by Luke Donald (11th), Montgomerie (13th), Paul Casey (29th) and Paul Broadhurst (50th). "Lee Westwood was the only English player in the top 100 four or five years ago," Montgomerie said. "It just comes and goes. It's something that's purely coincidental. If we win one, we might four or five in a row. You never know how these things happen." Paul Lawrie was the last British champion, winning a playoff after Jean Van de Velde's monumental collapse on the 72nd hole at Carnoustie. He's the only Brit to win their namesake event in the last 13 years.
Associated Press