Thomson: Why Tiger can do it again

Peter Thomson's five Open titles

 Australian Peter Thomson was the last player to win three successive Open Championships between 1954 and 1956 - a feat Tiger Woods is trying to achieve this year having won at St Andrews in 2005 and Hoylake last year.

The five time Open Champion, who has been building a worldwide reputation as a golf course architect with his company Thomson, Perrett and Lobb, so whom better to analyse Tiger's chances?

“The Open Championship has always been played to find the best golfer in the world," says Thomson in his latest company newsletter. "On current form and record alone, Tiger Woods should be left holding the Claret Jug at Carnoustie this week.

“What sets Tiger Woods apart from other top professional golfers is the way he prepares himself to peak in the Majors. He leaves nothing to chance and concentrates on his physical training, mental preparation and the requirements of the particular golf course he is to play.

"In my generation, if Sam Snead had prepared like Tiger, he would have won eight Open Championships and 10 US Opens."

Tiger with Elin and baby Sam

"The golf course preparation got out of control, and the result was a negative course that eliminated many of the top players. We don't want to see that again. I have always said that deep down you must know what you are doing to succeed in golf, and if you know that, then you don't have fears, only hopes. Tiger knows this and he relishes being in a position to win. That's why he can approach this year's Open with confidence."

Thomas Bjorn, who cruelly lost a chance to win The Open at Royal St George's, believes that Tiger's best chances could well be ahead of him, despite the birth of baby daughter Sam Alexis, which has ruled out his usual warm-up trip to Ireland on the eve of The Open.

"Tiger is such a strong person that being a father will do him a lot of good. It will give him an interest away from golf and he'll have more quality time away from the course," said the Dane.

"I think he will get better and I don't believe we've seen the best of him yet. He has a strength in him which makes him strive to get better and better."

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