Jose-Maria Olazabal (center, gray sweater), Tiger Woods (right, dark vest), caddies and officials observe two minutes of silence on the 14th green Thursday as a mark of respect to the victims of the London bombings on July 7. (Photo: Getty Images)

Players, patrons pause to remember Britain's bombing victims

Players stopped in their tracks, removed their hats and bowed their heads. Fans all over the Old Course stood and did the same. For two minutes Thursday, St. Andrews was silent as Britain remembered the victims of last week's bombing victims.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) -- Tiger Woods took off his cap and bowed his head. Jack Nicklaus stood facing the bleachers on the 16th hole, his arms behind his back.

Across the Old Course on Thursday, play stopped and players and fans alike paused for two minutes of silence for the victims of last week's London bombings.

Nicklaus had just finished putting for a par when the airhorn sounded. In the bleachers, thousands of fans stood, their silence broken only by the occasional calls of nearby gulls.

"It was very appropriate, I would say," Nicklaus said.

Woods was getting ready to chip on the 14th hole when the remembrance began. He took off his cap and bowed his head, as did playing partners Jose Maria Olazabal and Robert Allenby.

The flag at the historic clubhouse at the Old Course was lowered to half staff.

Two minutes of silent reflection was observed across Britain. At least 52 people were killed and hundreds injured when bombs went off a week ago in three subway trains and a double-decker bus.

Officials of the Royal & Ancient Club, which runs the British Open, said they have beefed up security in the wake of the attacks.

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