Leave it to the PGA Tour to find the upside of Tiger Woods missing out on the Tour Championship.

Hardly anyone knew Louis Oosthuizen, much less how to pronounce his name. Not many will forget the performance he delivered at the home of golf to capture the British Open.

Opinion: Phil Mickelson has felt plenty of heartache at the U.S. Open, but a British Open victory would show that he's a more well-rounded golfer.

Weather likely will be as much of a factor as Tiger Woods, who is seeking his third claret jug, when the British Open gets under way on the Old Course at St. Andrews on Thursday. Woods tees off at 4:09 a.m. ET.

Stewart Cink can't imagine spending the week after the Masters anywhere else but Harbour Town Golf Links.

Tiger Woods, the person, is a work in progress.

Arnold Palmer brought the mock bravado. Jack Nicklaus countered with self-deprecating humor.

Two old rivals swatted ceremonial tee shots Thursday to begin the Masters, where all the focus was on a four-time winner trying to rebuild his life. Tiger Woods was set to play for the first time since a Thanksgiving night car wreck led to revelations of numerous extramarital affairs.

Returning from a five-month layoff and trying to rebuild his reputation after a sex scandal, Tiger Woods showed he still had game Thursday at the Masters. The four-time green jacket winner shot a 4-under 68, the first time he had broken 70 in an opening round at Augusta National, and was two shots behind 1992 champion Fred Couples.

Two longtime rivals swatted ceremonial tee shots Thursday to begin the Masters, where all the focus was on a four-time winner trying to rebuild his life.

Tiger Woods will speak before he plays in the Masters.

Arnold Palmer believes redemption for Tiger Woods starts with being more open with the media.