Once again, the man everyone is talking about is Tiger Woods, the Open Championship leader on 11-under-par.

The hottest favourite ever for an Open is clearly relishing the weight of expectation that has been placed upon him.

He just seems so unflappable - he never loses his cool - and when he hits the ball, it stays hit.

But although he is three shots clear at the top of the leaderboard, there are still 36 holes of golf to play, and with the wind expected to pick up on Saturday, this championship is by no means a foregone conclusion.

Challengers

There are a host of players well positioned to challenge Tiger, mostly fellow Americans.

Toms is from Louisiana and he has been on the USPGA for nine years during which he has won three times.

This is his first Open and after a first round of 69 he shot a superb 67 to sit in second place on his own.

His best Major finish up until now was a tied-sixth spot at the US Masters in 1998 so he is in slightly unchartered territory.

Again, the beautiful conditions have meant that scoring has been very low, with the cut looking likely to be set at level-par.

Other than Woods, three players shot a six-under-par 66 on Friday - Argentina's Jose Coceres, Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson.

Nicklaus

But for some people, the emotions were at the other end of the scale, none more so than the departing Jack Nicklaus.

The great man added a 73 to his first round 77 to finish six-over-par for the championship.

But it was great to see him lapping up the crowd's applause as he crossed the Swilken Burn on the 18th.

He was obviously very touched by the emotion of the occasion and it really is the end of an era because even if he does play another Open, he will certainly never play another at St Andrews.

Seve is another legend who missed the cut, although his three-under-par round today showed he can still produce the touches of genius for which he is renowned.

Sadly, a first round of 78 meant he finished three-over-par. Local favourites Sam Torrance and Sandy Lyle have also gone, although Gordon Brand Jnr is doing well at three-under-par alongside Colin Montgomerie.

It looks like Monty's chances of winning The Open have gone for another year, and he is clearly frustrated that his putting has let him down again.

But it will be interesting to see on Saturday if anyone can stop Tiger making Sunday's round a formality.