Phil Mickelson in confident mood

Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo will spend more than eight hours in each other's company this week but neither is anticipating much in the way of small talk.

The pair, who will play along with Japan's Shingo Katayama for the first two rounds of the British Open, have barely spoken since Faldo infuriated Woods with public criticism of his swing last year.

And the world number one made it clear on Tuesday that the feud is still simmering away, although the heat has been taken out of the spat sufficiently for both men to be able to refer to the situation with a smile on their faces.

"We really don't talk much," Woods confirmed on Tuesday, before confirming that he was not expecting too much chit-chat on Thursday and Friday.

"I've only played with him two times since I've been a pro and there wasn't a lot of talking there either."

He added: "I really don't know (if we will chat). It's up to him. I'll be in my world trying to compete and win the Championship and I'm sure he will be doing the same thing."

Asked what his reaction would be if Faldo did talk to him, Woods replied with a big smile: "Surprised."

Faldo, for his part, admitted he would have preferred not to have been paired with Woods, but refused to back down on the comments which sparked their year-long feud.

Woods was left fuming over Faldo's criticism of his swing while working as a commentator for ABC television on their coverage of the Buick Invitational last year and reportedly refused to speak to the Englishman for over a year.

Faldo now claims that the pair have "kissed and made up," but admitted that, having not played a competitive round since April, he would have gladly opted for a less high-profile appearance at Royal Liverpool.

"I need just a smidgen more than a week's practice to take on Tiger," he said. "It won't be much fun - head down, blinkers on.

"It's not what I would have chosen, not when I am totally unprepared. It's throwing me in the deep end of the spotlight but we will muddle on."

Faldo's criticism of the Woods swing centred on an iron approach to the 18th green at the Buick, which the world number one pushed well to the right of the green.

Although the misshit did not prevent Woods from winning the tournament, Faldo insisted his comments were accurate and that he would make them again, a less than conciliatory stance that hardly encouraged hopes of an outbreak of detente on the first tee at 2.09pm on Thursday.

"I'm paid for my opinion and I'm entitled to my opinion," Faldo said. "I'm going to be right sometimes and wrong sometimes but as long as it's entertaining and the cheque hits the bank I'm happy."