Hoylake, England ? Nick Faldo wore a Superman logo on his cap Monday, appropriate for this British Open.

Everyone must feel like they’re on another planet at Royal Liverpool, a links course tucked along the Irish Sea that has not played host to professional golf in 25 years and hasn’t held the British Open since 1967.

And Faldo, a three-time champion and legendary figure in these parts, may need super powers to get through the week.

It’s bad enough that he has not played a tournament since the end of April. Faldo learned Monday morning he would be playing the first two rounds with defending champion Tiger Woods, whom Faldo has criticized from the broadcast booth the last two years.

Think the situation will be magnified?

“Slightly,” Faldo said, eyes visibly rolling behind his sunglasses on another bright, hot day. “Won’t be much fun, that.”

Woods and swing coach Hank Haney can be a little sensitive when it comes to Woods’ revamped swing, and Faldo took his crack two years ago at the Buick Invitational, when he was working for ABC Sports. From the 18th fairway with a one-shot lead, Woods missed a 2-iron so badly that it turned out good, landing on a tiny strip of grass right of the pond. He made birdie to win by two.

Tiger Woods, right, chooses a club with his caddie, Steve Williams, left, as coach Hank Haney looks on during practice at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England. Woods will be paired with Nick Faldo for the opening two rounds of this week's British Open.

“A complete fan and miss,” Faldo said, describing Woods’ swing as too flat.

Woods’ memory is long, and his mercy is scarce. The last time anyone recalls them playing together was the first round of the inaugural Accenture Match Play Championship, and after Woods beat the aging Faldo to a pulp, he coolly said, “I’m not going to feel sorry for him. He’s had his chance to win tournaments.”

Woods arrived in Hoylake over the weekend to begin his acquaintance with the centuries-old course. He finished his practice round Monday by 9:30 a.m. and was gone before the pairings were released.

Faldo stood by his criticism from the booth, saying he was paid to offer his opinion.

“And I’m entitled to my opinion,” he said. “I’ll be right sometimes, and I’ll be wrong sometimes. As long as it’s entertaining and the check hits my bank account once a month, that’s fine by me.”

Asked if he and Woods had smoothed over any hard feelings, Faldo called it “water under the bridge, with a few trout.”

Besides, he has more worries than whether Woods has a vendetta.

The six-time major winner doesn’t want to look foolish no matter how little he plays, and he was methodical as ever walking the grounds of Royal Liverpool, where Faldo played the English Boys’ Amateur in 1974 and the British Amateur in 1975.