The Open 2010: Justin Rose drawn with Tiger Woods at St Andrews

Justin Rose is a professional golfer, double PGA Tour winner and, now, a clairvoyant. "I knew it was coming," said the Englishman today when the draw for the first two rounds of the Open was released. What, or rather who, is coming for the Englishman is Tiger Woods, on the 1st tee of the Old Course at 9.09am on Thursday, along with Camilo Villegas of Colombia – just one great three-ball in a draw that has more marquee moments than a Buckingham Palace tea party. For Rose, who has won twice in his last three appearance on the PGA Tour, it will be the third time he has been paired with the world No1 at the Open. The two played together at Muirfield in 2002 and Carnoustie in 2007. "In 2002, it felt like a big deal," he said. "I was 21 at the time and I remember my dad sat me down and we had a chat about it. He was going through a tough time with his health and he reminded me that it was only a game of golf." Woods had won the first two majors that year and turned up in Scotland in search of the grand slam. Instead, he got lost in the torrential rain and shot a third-round 81. The world No1 finished 28th, Rose 26th – a turn-up of sorts. This time around it would come as a surprise to no one if the Englishman were to finish ahead of Woods, given that he is playing the best golf of his life while Woods, despite protestations to the contrary, is playing some of the most mediocre golf of his. Rose, however, was not about declare himself the winner before their own private duel. "We're having slightly different fortunes at the moment but he is still the man to beat this week," he said. "Tiger will turn up here and I am sure there will be good memories for him. He will remember shots he has hit and how to play this course. If he gets any sort of form going, watch out." The R&A's sense of theatre did not desert it when it came to selecting the group to follow Rose and Woods, with Padraig Harrington being paired alongside the five-times Open champion and 2009 nearly man Tom Watson and the Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa. "Tom has given a lot to the game, he's held up the traditions of the game and I think that's why people would have loved to have seen him win last year," Harrington said. "I'd be happy to see him win [this year] if I don't win." Among other groups to watch is the 8.42am three-ball featuring Ian Poulter, last year's champion, Stewart Cink, and the man many believe will be this year's champion, Ernie Els. The afternoon starters include the US Open champion, Graeme McDowell, who will be accompanied by Jim Furyk and Geoff Ogilvy at 1.53pm. Lee Westwood will tee off 11 minutes earlier, with Miguel Angel Jiménez and Adam Scott. Phil Mickelson, the world No2, tees off at 2.20pm, with the two-times US Open champion Retief Goosen and Colin Montgomerie, who made it St Andrews through qualifying. Montgomerie has not had a top-10 finish on the European Tour for more than two years and is ranked 373rd in the world. Ordinarily, a lowly ranked qualifier would have no business being paired with the Masters champion. It is also ridiculous to find Paul Lawrie, the 1999 champion, starting his round at 6.30am. "It's a wonderful draw," the Scotsman said when told the news. Give that man a diploma in diplomacy.