With his successful defense of his Open Championship title, Tiger Woods earned the right to defend his crown in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the season-ending showcase of major champions. Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy already have qualified.

Majors are supposed to separate the men from the boys, says PGA.com contributor Grant Boone, and the 135th Open Championship did exactly that. Earl Woods' boy and Norma DiMarco's boy made their parents very proud.

Earl Woods would have loved this Open Championship. Every lesson he ever taught his son about life and golf seemed to be in play over four days at Royal Liverpool and, with his victory, Tiger proved that he remembered them all.

Chris DiMarco cheered up his grieving family and proved that his game was back on track at Hoylake. And, says T.J. Auclair, his strong finish just might have spared U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman a very difficult decision.

Struggles in the middle of his final round ended Ernie Els' chances of overtaking Tiger Woods for the Claret Jug. And though disappointed at again failing to beat Woods, the Big Easy also is pleased to be fully recovered from his knee problem.

For Sergio Garcia, Sunday at Hoylake played out in all-too-familiar fashion. With a chance to beat Tiger Woods in a major, the excitable Spaniard fell behind early, struggled to stay in contention and finished the day looking up at the winner.

Plus, Adam Scott questions the hole locations, Royal Liverpool sets an attendance record, Jim Furyk hails Tiger Woods, Tom Watson predicts big things from the leading amateur, Sean O'Hair's father-in-law assumes a new role, and more.

After finishing up at 5-under 283, Phil Mickelson described the pin placements as very difficult, but stopped short of criticizing them. And though disappointed with his week, he said he learned a lot about how to prepare for next year.

No one predicted that unheralded Anthony Wall would wind up as the highest finisher among all the British players. But after posting an 8-under 280 total, the 31-year-old Londoner believes his best years are still in front of him.

PGA.com contributor Grant Boone fully expected Tiger Woods and Ernie Els to feast on a hard, fast Royal Liverpool on Saturday. Instead they both lost their appetites as the field closed in fast at the 135th Open Championship.

Sergio Garcia hasn't fared well when facing Tiger Woods with major titles on the line, but he's got another shot at a big breakthrough. He tees off Sunday having played as well as anyone in the field, but still must overcome his history.

Tom Watson laments his trouble at the start and finish of his round. Plus, Paul Casey cards two back-nine triple-bogeys, Scott Verplank professes his love of links golf, John Senden chalks up the second ace of the week, and more.

Chris DiMarco has plenty of experience in contending in majors, and with a break here or there at the 2004 PGA Championship or 2005 Masters, he could be a major champion, too. He doesn't want to let another chance slip away on Sunday.

Despite being disappointed at his performance so far this week, Phil Mickelson wants to put together one completely solid round before he heads back to America. He was properly prepared, he said, but just didn’t execute the shots.

Plus, Greg Owen gets some medical advice from Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald believes the pressure has gotten to the British players, a Norwegian and Italian battle for the silver medal, Henrik Stenson can only laugh at his 9, and more.

The only Argentine golfer to win a major was Roberto De Vicenzo right here at Royal Liverpool back in 1967. On Sunday, two of his biggest fans and protégés, Angel Cabrera and Andres Romero, have a chance to follow in his footsteps.

With his wife struggling in her battle with cancer, Darren Clarke has finished up his Open and returned home for the foreseeable future. His compatriots hope he can return for the Ryder Cup, but he said he can't even think about that now.

As we watch Tiger Woods and friends continue their chase for the coveted claret jug at Royal Liverpool, PGA.com contributor Grant Boone can't get enough of BBC announcer Peter Alliss, "without a doubt the best listen" in the game.

Erie Els played like the Big Easy of old on Friday at Royal Liverpool. That was Step One in his return to championship form. Step Two is winning a weekend showdown with the world's best player, and Els is happy to have the chance to try it.

Plus, Tiger Woods talks tennis and travel with an Italian interviewer, Nick Faldo asks Woods for a parting gift, Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy believe plenty of players are still in the hunt, David Duval makes another major cut, and more.

As if a lingering back injury suffered while on a ski trip wasn't bad enough, the sudden death of his mother on July 4 compounded Chris DiMarco's agony. But here he is, at peace with himself and within sight of his first major.

After a two-eagle 66 on Friday, Retief Goosen hopes to put some front-nine pressure on leader Tiger Woods on Saturday. But Goosen concedes that he might be playing for second unless something brings Woods back toward the pack.

Even after making his third straight Open cut at age 56, Tom Watson sees room for improvement over the next two days. Plus, Miguel Angel Jimenez motors right into contention, Kenneth Ferrie's back goes out at a bad time, and more.

PGA.com contributor Grant Boone apparently touched a few nerves with his previous edition of Grant Me This. It seems fans of Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner currently fighting for his life, are a fiercely loyal bunch.

Tiger Woods found himself in trouble several times on Thursday as he visited a pot bunker, a dusty path and that wispy rough. But the ending to his opening round was pure Tiger, as he drained a 25-footer for eagle that left him just one shot back.

Plus, Darren Clarke saves his day with a brilliant back nine, Colin Montgomerie lets a good scoring opportunity slip away, Seve Ballesteros making a surprisingly positive return, Padraig Harrington has to change his strategy, and more.

Many experts predicted that a European finally won a major this year, but few forecast that Anthony Wall, Greg Owen and Graeme McDowell would be outplaying such big names as Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington.

Ten years after he made his Open Championship debut at age 16, Sergio Garcia knows he hasn't yet blossomed into the major champion that everyone expected he would become. An opening 67 is giving him lots of hope this week, though.

Alternates Brad Faxon and Jesper Parnevik hung around Royal Liverpool for days, but are heading home disappointed. Plus, Ian Poulter makes another fashion statement, Fred Couples calculates his finances, and more. 

Greg Owen thought he could skip an international qualifier for the Open Championship last year because he knew his standing on the World Golf Ranking list would get him in. That's not the way the R&A saw it. On Thursday, he got sweet revenge.

Tiger Woods says he shook off the rust at the Western Open, and his expectations are high this week. He even brought his 2-iron out of an eight-month retirement to hit low, penetrating tee shots that run endlessly on the baked fairways.

In between practice sessions at Royal Liverpool, John Daly strapped on his guitar and played a set at the famed nightclub frequented by the Fab Four. Daly earned a rousing reception, and is hoping for another hit performance at Hoylake.

Todd Hamilton has struggled since his surprise victory at the 2004 Open at Royal Troon. But he is pleased to be back in the U.K., where his triumph is still widely recognized, and to again play the creative golf that links layouts require.

Plus, the R&A sees no more changes to encourage women to try to qualify, Chris DiMarco has one eye on the Ryder Cup standings, David Howell has an opinion on the weather, officials like what they see of Royal Liverpool, and more.

Only a handful of the players had ever seen Royal Liverpool before this week, and even those who had are dealing with some surprises. Among the biggest is that the course has been reconfigured to provide a more dynamic finish.

None of the players was quite sure what to expect when they arrived at Royal Liverpool. More puzzling than the links, however, are the fastest, firmest and crustiest Open Championship conditions that anyone can remember in years.

Like Tiger Woods and friends, Chris Carmody has been preparing for the 2006 Open Championship for more than six months. PGA.com caught up with TNT's Senior Producer for an inside look at what goes into producing such an event.

Hoping to accelerate the healing process from his Winged Foot debacle, Phil Mickelson has thrown himself into his Open preparation. He's played Royal Liverpool so much in recent weeks, in fact, that it's starting to feel like home.

Plus, Trevor Immelman heads home after his baby unexpectedly arrives early, Seve Ballesteros is searching for his missing magic, Graeme McDowell hopes his expertise on links courses will give him the upper hand, and more. 

Padraig Harrington, one of the favorites this week, admits that Royal Liverpool scared the life out of him when he first played it last week,. But, he says, he's getting used to the eccentric links layout more every day, and is even warming up to it.

Ian Poulter wore a pair of trousers with a giant red question mark on one leg Tuesday. His question: Is this the week a European wins a major for the first time since Carnoustie in 1999? Poulter, for one, believes the answer is yes.

A month after his surprise victory at Winged Foot, Geoff Ogilvy is still reveling in the life-changing triumph. After celebrating (a lot) in his native Australia, he's making his first start since the U.S. Open as a big, but not too big, star.

PGA.com's T.J Auclair reports on the Tiger Woods' reaction to the most interesting grouping of the first two rounds, Geoff Ogilvy's career-long layoff, Phil Mickelson's new major preparation strategy, and more from Royal Liverpool.

Tiger Woods began his 400th week at No. 1 in the world in his usual fashion on Monday, with an early-morning practice session at Royal Liverpool. He and swing coach Hank Haney were out on the course at 6:30 a.m. and finished at 9:45.

Nick Faldo is comfortable in the broadcast booth, but he'll have to endure the on-course spotlight this week. He's been paired with Tiger Woods, whom he has criticized on the air, meaning his every move this week will be magnified.

Alternate Brad Faxon said he'd be upset if he stayed home and his number came up, so he flew to Hoylake just in case. Plus, Warren Bladon could frame his own victory photo, Seve Ballesteros wants to give it one more shot, and more.

Trevor Immelman will play the Open this week with one ear cocked toward his cell phone. His wife Carminita is scheduled to have their first child next week, and if the delivery arrives ahead of schedule, he'll have a big decision to make.

Royal Liverpool reminds Ben Curtis a lot of Royal St. George's, where his victory in the 2003 Open was one of the biggest surprises in recent major history. But while he's looking back, he's also looking forward and hoping the wind picks up.

Despite being a two-time U.S. Open champion, Retief Goosen describes the state of his game as rubbish. He's worried about his lack of accuracy both off the tee and into the greens, but hopes some thorough practice sessions will pay off.

Plus, with a baby on the way, 1997 Open champion Justin Leonard reluctantly withdraws; European No. 1 David Howell arrives playing his worst golf of the year; and rising star Nick Dougherty of Liverpool finds himself in a rut.

A return of his chronic back problem last week at the Scottish Open has Fred Couples wondering if he'll be able to play at Royal Liverpool this week. He is looking to use the Open as a springboard back onto the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Rather than trying to forget the closing double-bogey that robbed him of the U.S. Open, Colin Montgomerie analyzed what happened at Winged Foot and says he'll be more motivated at Royal Liverpool because of it.

It's been 39 years since the Open Championship was contested at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. And TNT's Emmy Award-winning journalist Jim Huber hopes it won't be that long before it returns to the largest venue on the short Open rotation.

A dozen players emerged from more than 300 finalists in four qualifiers played near Liverpool on Monday and Tuesday. Among them are former British Amateur champions Warren Bladon of England and Mikko Ilonen of Finland.

Confusion over his status last summer forced Greg Owen to skip the 2005 Open Championship. But after a dramatic and painful 12 months, he is eagerly looking forward to giving Royal Liverpool his best shot and reigniting his career.

A day after tying for fourth at the Smurfit European Open in Ireland, Graeme Storm fired a 68 in England to keep alive his chances of making the Hoylake field. A dozen spots are up for grabs in the two-day qualifier that ends Tuesday.

Mathew Goggin didn't win the Cialis Western Open on Sunday and Anthony Wall fell short at the Smurfit European Open. Their consolation prizes were that they played well enough to earn tickets to Royal Liverpool next week.

David Toms will be replaced in the field by Jeff Sluman, who like Toms is a former PGA Championship winner. Plus, Jean Van de Velde suddenly decides to skip out of final qualifying, and the fields are set for the last chance to get in.

Paul Page, who beat Tiger Woods in the 1993 U.S. Amateur, was among 302 golfers who on Wednesday advanced to final British Open qualifying. A dozen spots will be decided next Monday and Tuesday near Liverpool.

Royal & Ancient Golf Club officials changed their rules to allow the top female players to try to qualify, but none has chosen to give it a go this year. Regional qualifying tees off Wednesday around Great Britain with only men in the field.

Gone are the days when players from around the world had to travel to Britain to try to qualify. Now, there are 25 ways for a challenger to get in without leaving home, as the Royal & Ancient Golf Club embraces global dreamers.

The 135th Open Championship in July will finish with a par-5 hole measuring 560 yards thanks to a re-routing of the back nine at Royal Liverpool. The adjustment to the order of play will make the risk-reward 16th the new closing hole. "The 18th will present a birdie opportunity, but as a left-to-right dogleg with out of bounds ever present on the right, will also be a hole for potential disaster," said Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A.

India's Shiv Kapur and Australia's Jarrod Lyle and Unho Park earned their maiden appearance at The Open Championship after surviving a nerve-jangling final round at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course in Singapore.

Australians Michael Wright, Bradley Hughes, Ben Bunny and Adam Bland earned places in the 2006 British Open Wednesday by finishing in the top four spots in a 36-hole international qualifier at Kingston Heath.