Els: Second favourite

And unlike many of his compatriots, Woods says he enjoys tackling the supremely testing conditions thrown up by golf's oldest major.

"I love the challenge of links golf," he said. "It forces you to create shots that never come out of your bag on the US Tour.

"And for me to be in a position to complete a career Grand Slam at the course where golf started, well that's all you can ask."

Former Royal & Ancient secretary Michael Bonallack believes there can be only one winner on the course he knows better than most.

"The Open at St Andrews is made for Tiger," he said.

"The totality of his game now is simply astonishing."

Failed to deliver

It has to be remembered, however, that Woods is not invincible.

He was almost as heavily favoured to win the US Masters in April.

But he failed to deliver, and he has yet to win on a links course. At Carnoustie last year, he finished seventh.

Poor weather combined with an unfavourable draw could damage Woods' chances.

And should he stumble at St Andrews, there are a pack of similarly matched players waiting to step into the limelight.

Everyone will be on the greens in two and my putting isn't good enough at the moment

Colin Montgomerie

Clarke: Loves St Andrews

Former winners Tom Lehman and Justin Leonard, along with Hal Sutton, are also a threat.

European number one Colin Montgomerie, still seeking that elusive first major, says St Andrews does not suit his game.

"Everyone will be on the greens in two and my putting isn't good enough at the moment," he said.

The two best bets for a homegrown winner are Lee Westwood, who has won his last two tournaments, and Order of Merit leader Darren Clarke.

Clarke loves St Andrews, and while Westwood has described the course as "not in my top 200 - in Fife", he is in red hot form and has hardly missed a putt all year.

Surprise winner

Last year's surprise winner Paul Lawrie, who came through qualifying to take the title in a play-off, is probably a long shot.

Nick Faldo finished seventh in the US Open, his best result in a major since 1996, and looks to have got his game together again.

Faldo: Back on form

But it may be beyond the three-times Open champion to repeat his St Andrews triumph of 1990, when he won with a course record 18-under par 270.

Zimbabwe's Nick Price, Masters champion Vijay Singh of Fiji and Swede Jesper Parnevik must also be seen as contenders.

But if the winner was the player given the greatest reception by the galleries, Jack Nicklaus would be adding another major to 18-strong collection.

The Golden Bear is making his final Open Championship appearance at the course on which he triumphed in 1970 and 1978.