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Tiger is favourite for the Open, says Spieth

Jordan Spieth had the best seat in the house as Tiger Woods made his comeback at Congressional © Getty Images

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Jordan Spieth says Tiger Woods poses a "severe threat" at the Open Championship and will start the third major of the season as favourite despite missing 12 weeks of the year after back surgery.

In his first competitive action since March, Woods carded rounds of 74 and 75 to miss the cut at the Quicken Loans National - won by Justin Rose - but Spieth, who played with Woods in those first two rounds, believes his hero can add to his 14-major haul at Hoylake.

"He'll take a lot from those 36 holes and I think he will be a severe threat at the British [Open] - probably as favourite," Spieth said.

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"He looks good, he's not over-swinging it and he's in rhythm.

"He wasn't aggressive enough putting, but we were all leaving it short. His greens at his house are faster, apparently. Other than that, he's not that far from being right where he was."

Woods admitted he came back came back four weeks earlier than expected due to his affiliation with the Congressional tournament which benefits his foundation but said he felt "very encouraged" despite failing to make it through to the weekend.

But Sir Nick Faldo, commentating for CBS in the United States, believes Woods should tee up at the Scottish Open if he is to stand any chance of repeating his Hoylake heroics of 2005 - where he won by two shots just two months after the death of his father, Earl.

Woods is on holiday with his children and girlfriend Lindsey Vonn and is expected to fly to England the weekend of the Scottish Open, which already boasts a field including Rose, Rory McIlroy and defending champion Phil Mickelson.

But Faldo said: "The best way to knock off the rust is to come out and play competitive golf. He says he feels great so why doesn't he add a tournament before The Open?

"The Scottish would be ideal, on the Royal Aberdeen links and everything."

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