Not that Spain's Sergio Garcia is an immediate threat to their position well clear of any others in the rankings list, but such is his current form they will be wary of the young player who may soon be challenging their dominance.

A tough Carnoustie course made even more brutal for the return of the British Open will be the battleground.

Woods's triumph in last week's Western Open pushed him ahead of Duval again in the rankings while Garcia's Irish Open triumph last Sunday -- followed by his first-round 62 in this week's Loch Lomond event -- has elevated him only as high as 80th place.

But so impressive is his game and temperament that comparisons are already being made with the two Americans.

However, before they can consider the clash ahead of them, the golfers must first get to grips with a course that could -- if the wind blows -- demand levels of patience and fortitude that many may prove not to have.

At 7,361 yards, it will be the longest in Open history with narrow fairways, lightning fast greens, pot bunkers and two streams, Barry's Burn and Jockie's Burn, snaking through the course.

Early reports from two veteran Britons indicate that a monster awaits the golfers' arrival for the first British Open at Carnoustie, on the Scottish east coast north of St. Andrews, since Tom Watson won the first of his five titles in 1975.

"If the wind blows, it's going to make everyone look stupid. Players won't have a hope in hell of getting round the course," said former Masters champion Ian Woosnam, who won the 1996 Scottish Open at Carnoustie, the last full tour event played there.

He criticized officials for watering the rough to make it grow. "That's not links golf. I'm not looking forward to it," he said.

Sandy Lyle, also a Masters champion and winner of the Open in 1985, described the rough as "evil."

"The rough is going to be a nightmare. They seem not to want you to score well at all," Lyle said.

Told of their comments, Europe's top player Colin Montgomerie expressed a contrary view.

"Good. I hope it is as tough as they can bloody well make it," Montgomerie said Thursday. "Carnoustie never lets up. There is no such thing as a gentle hole."

Ernie Els, the two-time U.S. Open champion, played it well in gentle conditions on Thursday and finished an estimated 1- or 2-over par; he was not keeping score.

He called the rough "quite unbelievable" and said if the wind picked up the winning score could be around 6-over 290.

Whatever view proves to be correct, Carnoustie is sure to be a cauldron of frustration next week.

Woods, given his recent form, may be the best equipped to deal with its requirements as the changes made to his swing over the past two years bear fruit.

His triumph at the Western was his third in four events and his fourth of the year -- the same number as Duval recorded at the start of the year as he took over at the top of the rankings.

Duval, the 27-year-old from Florida who has now won 11 tournaments since his maiden victory late in 1997, finished tied for seventh at Pinehurst. He was tied for the lead after 36 holes before two 75s knocked him out of contention.

Those rounds may have been a delayed reaction to his lack of practice after burning himself on a metal teapot full of boiling water a week earlier.

Duval, who likes snowboarding in his spare time, believes his strengths are patience and efficiency -- assets which may reward him at Carnoustie.

Montgomerie will head the European challenge, and his straight driving may prove to be just what is required to give him his first major triumph.

Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, on the other hand, may find his driving weakness leaves him too much to do with his sometimes miraculous iron play and short game.

Englishman Lee Westwood seems to be rediscovering the form that has been absent while he battled a shoulder injury this year.

And then there is Garcia -- the latest in a line of great Spaniards which began with Seve Ballesteros almost 25 years ago.

In addition to his superb game, Garcia has been surprising players and observers with his confidence and maturity.

And amid the other comparisons has been the inevitable likening to Ballesteros, who went on to win two Masters titles and three British Opens.

Ballesteros was 18 when he played in his first British Open at Carnoustie in 1975. He missed the cut. The next year when he was 19 he finished tied for second.

Garcia played the 1996 Open when he was 16 and missed the cut. In his second appearance last year when still an amateur he tied 28th.