Far from being sworn enemies, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods looked more like the best of buddies when their paths crossed on the practice ground on the eve of the Open Championship at Hoylake.

The golfing giants have been paired together for the first two rounds, to be played tomorrow and Friday.

It will be their first duel since Faldo's television criticism of a swing made by the world number one during a tournament in America 17 months ago.

Faldo, 49, played down any animosity between the two after the draw was made on Monday, saying it was "water under bridge with a few trouts" and that he had kissed Woods "on both cheeks and then the face".

But the response from Woods was more frosty when he was questioned about their relationship earlier in the week.

"We don't talk much," Woods replied, and when asked if they would shake hands on the first tee added: "I don't know. It's up to him. I'll be in my own world trying to win the Open."

Woods, 30, was then asked what his reaction would be if Faldo initiated conversation.

"Surprised," he said.

It prompted more than one newspaper to publish a boxing tale-of-the-tape between the two and bookmakers offered odds on them coming to blows in the opening round.

Today's meeting may have served a purpose in taking some heat out of their meeting. But tomorrow is when it is for real and everybody continues to wait to see what happens.