Monday 21 July 2014 13:30, UK
Five-time Open champion Tom Watson proved he can still compete at the highest level with a sparking 68 to finish one-over for the tournament at Royal Liverpool.
But the American Ryder Cup captain admits he is concerned by the form of Tiger Woods ahead of September's match against Europe at Gleneagles.
Woods, who recently returned to action following back surgery, finished six over at Hoylake and Watson said it was too soon to make a decision on whether or not to include the 14-time major winner in his team.
"If he's playing well and in good health, I'll pick him. But the caveat to that is if he does make the FedEx Cup (play-off series)," he said.
"It looks like he's playing without pain, but, again, he's not in the mix. He needed to get in the mix to get some points to get some money and get in the FedEx Cup. That's what I was hoping he was doing this week.
"We're going to talk on the phone but it's a little bit early with Tiger to even talk to as far as where he is, where he needs to be is higher up on the list."
That was a good day. I enjoyed that, that was good, very good. I made five birdies and bogeyed the first hole with a bad chip. But that was about it. It was a fun day today.
Woods accepts he needs to do more to convince Watson he should play in Scotland.
Asked if he should be selected, Woods said: "I would say yes, but that's my position, my take on it.
"He's the captain, obviously it's his decision. He's going to field the best 12 players that he thinks will win the cup back, and I hope I'm on that team."
Watson, who won his five Opens between 1975 and 1983, shrugged off an opening hole bogey to rattle home five birdies, including one at the 18th after a rousing reception.
"That was a good day. I enjoyed that, that was good, very good," he added. "I made five birdies and bogeyed the first hole with a bad chip. But that was about it. It was a fun day today.
"I think, if I'm not mistaken -- did I miss a fairway today? Let me see -- yeah, I missed 11. The first day I missed six fairways but it was a good day, good comeback."
