Tiger Woods admits he is surprised by the conditions at St Andrews ahead of next week’s Open Championship.

The American has twice lifted the Claret Jug at the Home of Golf, taking the title in both 2000 and 2005 and got an early look at the Old Course on Saturday while taking part in a sponsor’s event.

Having tied for 32nd at last week’s Greenbrier Classic, Woods will be desperate to continue his improved form following his missed cut at last month’s US Open.

With defending champion Rory McIlroy out of the tournament after injuring his left ankle, the event looks wide open with Jordan Spieth the current 6.00 favourite and Dustin Johnson second in the betting at 13.00.

Woods himself is amongst a talented group which also includes Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson at 26.00 and will be confident of finally winning his 15th major title if he can get off to a fast start.

The 39-year-old says he still has plenty of practice to do though, especially around the greens where he will need to improve his touch having expected the putting surfaces to be much firmer.

With the event getting underway on Thursday, the former world number admits he was surprised by the Old Course, conceding that he had planned for more traditional links conditions.

“I was shocked,” Woods told ESPN. “I had seen photos of it a month ago. It was bone dry. It looked like it was going to be one of those dust bowls again; hard, fast, like the years I’ve played St. Andrews.

“I’m going to have to do a little bit of feel around the greens, my putting. I wasn’t expecting the firmness to be that soft.”