Els and rivals set to pounce with Tiger out

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - The British Open will enter unusual territory in Thursday's opening round when a major championship takes place without Tiger Woods for the first time in more than a decade.

The American world number one has been sidelined for the rest of this year while he recovers from reconstructive knee surgery, opening the door for players such as Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia.

Woods has triumphed six times in the last 14 majors, a remarkable record in a game renowned for its fickle nature, and his absence from any tournament clearly opens up the field.

Midway through last month British bookmakers William Hill listed him as a 5-2 chance to win the Open. After Woods ended his playing schedule for the year, Els and Garcia were installed as joint favorites at 12-1.

A triple champion at the Open, Woods will be sorely missed at Royal Birkdale but Els and his rivals plan to take full advantage.

"I'm not overly disappointed he's not here," a smiling Els told reporters in the build-up to the third major of the season.

"For the tournament itself, it's a big blow, and for world golf, not to have the number one player playing, it's very different. You've got to talk about a lot more other players.

"I think he is so far ahead in the race we've kind of sagged back a little bit. Phil (Mickelson) still is the true number two in the world."

Woods has not missed a major since the 1996 U.S. PGA Championship.

"This week there are quite a lot of players in the mix to stake a claim to be a favorite," added South African Els, British Open champion at Muirfield in 2002.

"For once I think everybody can be very excited."

Garcia, beaten by Irishman Padraig Harrington in a playoff in last year's Open at Carnoustie, shrugged off his billing as a Birkdale favorite.

NO DIFFERENCE

"It doesn't feel any different," said the 28-year-old Spaniard who has posted six top-10 finishes in his last seven Open starts. "At the end of the day I know I've got to be favorite myself, in me.

"Obviously it's nice to be that but it doesn't mean that it's going to help me, like my chances are going to be better because of that. I still have to go out there and perform and give myself a shot at winning the trophy."