Matt Wallace column: Tiger Woods was my idol when I was growing up... now we are going to be playing together

Tiger Woods won’t remember our first Open meeting, but I’ll remind him of it when we tee off in the same group on Thursday.

He’s probably heard similar stories from guys on the tour, but it was in 2003 that I went to The Open at Royal St George’s. I was only 13 and remember shouting out “Go on, Tiger” and he replied “Thanks”. I left the course with the biggest smile on my face that day.

Growing up, he was the best and, for me, he was the most charismatic, pumped up and energetic golfer, who could hit the ball miles. He was my absolute idol and I start the first two days of The Open by playing with the greatest that’s ever been. It’s all a bit crazy, really.

People talk about handling the Tiger effect with the big crowds that follow him and I genuinely think it will help me concentrate. I’m better when I have eyes on me, it’s the sort of thing that’ll put me right in the moment straight away.

It’s weird it’s happening, although my team remind me it’s payback for the way I’ve been playing and, outside of winning tournaments, this is the biggest reward I can think of to be paired with him.

The reality is I don’t know him at all, although I asked him to pose for a picture in Mexico and he was very gracious about it, plus our lockers are generally pretty close to each other.

I know he loves sport, so I’ll pick his brains about that, ask him if he supports a football team and, if not, try to convert him to become a Manchester United fan and get him to Old Trafford.

I’ve played with another Open champion in the build-up in Darren Clarke — his advice was “don’t miss it left, right, short or long” — so, essentially, he was saying the ideal is to play Royal Portrush perfectly. It’s that unforgiving.

The last Englishman to win The Open was Sir Nick Faldo. I’d love to rectify that, but I have no expectations. If I put too much pressure on, then the moment will get to me. I just have to enjoy it.

Having unrealistic expectations aren’t a good thing, as I found out with my behaviour towards my caddie, Dave McNeilly, at last month’s BMW International Open.

Off the course, I asked Dave if I’d overstepped the mark and he was like “Nope” and we hugged it out. I’ve spoken to the likes of Thomas Bjorn and Ian Poulter about it since. I know it’s something I need to control. I was wrong, I’m sorry and my expectations were simply too high.

Dave and I have just passed our two-year anniversary together and, as a Northern Irishman, this week is big for him, too. He seems to know everyone, he knows the course, he’s very focused and we’re in good shape.

I stayed at his the Sunday night after the Irish Open, before playing 18 holes with Darren at Portrush the next day. Now I’ve got a game plan and some notes from Darren.

It feels a far cry from last year — my first Open — when I just missed the cut after bogeying the 17th by missing a putt from about four feet, but I still loved the experience of playing with Bubba Watson and Padraig Harrington. That was mental, this one will be even more so.

My three rivals to watch

Rory McIlroy

Rory’s the tournament favourite and it’s easy to see why. Scoring that 61 on this course all those years ago shows he’s clearly pretty comfortable playing here, and he’s looked in good form.

Picking out a winner at an event like The Open is so hard, but I’d be surprised if Rory isn’t there or thereabouts at the end.

Brooks Koepka

You can’t really not go for him at any Major. He’s finished in the top two in the past four Majors and that level of consistency is amazing.

No one’s close to that sort of record of late so you’d expect him to be a threat.

Francesco Molinari

If I end up beating a player like Francesco at The Open I’ll be pretty happy.

He was my pick to win the US Open, he’s been playing really well and, like Brooks Koepka, he’s playing amazingly consistent golf right now. Plus, he knows how to win at links golf.

Portrush's toughest hole

For me, No11 is a really tough hole and that’s regardless of where the wind is. It is common there to be playing into the breeze or with a crosswind and, if you hit the fairway all four days, you’ll be gaining shots on the rest of the field.

And if you make par, you’ll be gaining a shot or two on your rivals. It’s a nasty one, although there are so many to pick out on what is a difficult golf course.