GRAND BLANC, Mich., July 30 (UPI) -- British Open champion Ben Curtis returns to action Thursday and he will find himself playing just in front of the world's No. 1 player.
Curtis took last week off after his emotional and very unexpected triumph in England and he will immediately find his status improved on the PGA Tour.
Instead of playing with relative unknowns in the first two rounds of the Buick Open, Curtis will be paired with Mark O'Meara and Scott McCarron. Woods will tee off right behind Curtis in the company of Tom Pernice and John Huston.
Woods was winless in his first three Buick Open appearances before last year's four-shot victory over four players, including good friend O'Meara.
Woods is trying to equal his win total from last year (five) and repeat as champion of a tournament for the second time this season.
