Sleepless Nikes Ahead

As Tiger Woods looks forward to becoming a dad for the first time, speculation is rife as to the effect it will potentially have on his golf.

Dirty nappies, distrubed sleep, favourite shirts covered in sick and seemingly never-ending fits of frenzied greetin': just some of the 'joys' that Tiger Woods is preparing for now that his wife Elin is expecting their first child.

Fatherhood should come naturally to Tiger - who need prenatal classes when you work with stroppy, downright childish Steve Williams - and the birth of 'Junior' is an exciting new chapter in his life that nothing's going to get in the way of. Not even this year's Open championship.

Woods recently confirmed that if the wean's arrival coincides with the tournament then there'll be no chance of him defending the Claret Jug at Carnoustie this summer.

"If it happens, it happens," he said. "The birth is the most important thing, not another golf tournament. I just wouldn't go. If Elin's going to have it during the week of the Open, I just won't go."

Already, this admission has provoked an interesting reaction. After all, an Open Championship without Tiger Woods would be a bit like a World Cup without Brazil, Eastenders without Dot Cotton, the Christmas charts without cliff Richard. But, given the circumstances, it would hardly be a surprise.