By Ralph Barnett

THE PARTICIPATION of Open title holder Tiger Woods in next month’s championship in Carnoustie now seems almost certain after the world No 1 golfer’s wife Elin gave birth to the couple’s first child. Woods (31) had said he would be prepared to miss out on a major event if it meant he could not be with his wife for the birth.

However, with just four weeks to go before the cream of the world’s golfers converge on the Angus burgh for one of the most eagerly anticipated international sporting events, there seems little likelihood that his millions of fans will be left disappointed.

On Monday, less than 24 hours after her husband narrowly missed out on adding another US Open title to his already remarkable career achievements by finishing one shot behind Angel Cabrera, Elin Woods gave birth to their daughter Sam Alexis.

On his official website, Woods said, “Both Elin and Sam are doing well and resting peacefully.”

Between now and the start of the Open at Carnoustie on July 19, Woods is scheduled to play in the Buick Open at the Warwickshire Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on June 28 and is also set to host a tournament in Washington DC from July 5-8.

A spokesman for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews said, “Tiger has been entered for the Open but, as yet, we have had no formal confirmation that he will play.

“It would, however, now seem likely that he will come to Carnoustie to defend his Open title.”

Woods was recently quoted as saying, “I’m pacing myself already just because of the fact that I have a baby coming up.

“I don’t know how much I’m going to play after that...a lot of that is depending on what happens and the health of Elin and our child.”

Stating categorically that he would rather miss the Open than miss the birth of his and his wife’s first child, he said,

“All I know is that Elin and I are excited and that this is far more important than any game of golf.

“This is an opportunity for us to raise our first child and we’re really looking forward to it.”

The past two years have been life-changing for Woods, who has won 12 majors and set numerous records in his astonishing career to date.

In May last year he lost his father Earl following a long battle with cancer and a month later he failed to make the cut at the US Open at Winged Foot.

He recovered his legendary coolness, however, when he came back to win the Open at Royal Liverpool in July, memorably breaking down on the 18th green and sobbing on the shoulder of his caddie.