BBC Sportgolf

Garcia, still an amateur at Birkdale in 1998, has had six top 10s in the eight Opens held this century. And he will be desperate to banish the memories of last year and also Hoylake in 2006 when he played in the final group with Woods, only to finish fifth.

Els won at Muirfield six years ago, was fourth last year and has also had two seconds and two thirds since 2000.

Both men have won on the PGA Tour this year but Garcia is the man in form.

Expect choruses of "Come on Sair-gee-o" from the Merseyside masses.