It was a question you knew the answer before Tiger Woods replied and was confirmation that nothing matters to him this week than finishing first in 143rd Open Championship.

Woods was a little late attending his press conference having played a full 18 holes before fronting the media near 11am local time here at Royal Liverpool.

The 14-time Major winner has returned to Hoylake for a first occasion since his emotional 2006 Open Championship success and the third occasion he won golf’s oldest Major.

But when asked about the fact he has played just two rounds of tournament competition since back surgery what would be an acceptable finish Woods responded:  “First”.

It prompted the person asking the question to say:  “Anything less than that would be unacceptable?”

Woods answered:  “That’s always the case, yeah”.

Tiger Woods says nothing matters than finishing first this week at Royal Liverpool. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)