Tiger Woods has described his 2006 Open win at Hoylake as his ‘most gratifying’ on British soil.

The 15-time major winner is absent from the tournament on its return to the course this year as he recovers from ankle surgery in April.

However, speaking in a video message after being recognised for ‘outstanding services to golf’ by the Association of Golf Writers on Tuesday night, Woods recalled the emotion of landing his third Claret Jug two months after the passing of his father Earl.

Woods said: ‘I just want to say that all my years of playing the Open Championship, starting at St Andrews in 1995, have been some of the greatest moments, and greatest memories, I have had not just in my golfing career, but in my whole life.

‘I’ll roll through some of them, starting with my win at St Andrews in 200, and winning again at the home of golf in 2005, and onto where everyone is playing this week, at Hoylake.

Tiger Woods walks off the 18th green in tears with caddy Steve Williams following his Open victory at Hoylake in 2006

‘That week in 2006 was a very emotional one. It was the first championship I ever won without my dad being there. It was a tough, tough week, but also probably the most gratifying that I have ever experienced over there.’