The Open Championship Guide 2014

<image="1" align="left" />THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 GUIDE

 The course:

 Royal Liverpool is one of the oldest links in Britain, and was originally a race course. It measures 6686 metres for this week, and is a par 72. It has been lengthened by about 50 metres since the Open was last held there in 2006. The likes of Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Peter Thomson and Tiger Woods have all won Opens there.

 Formguide for the Australians:

 Adam Scott: clearly our best chance. Was third last year, and second the year before when he should have won. Has not played in a while, but will be ready.

Jason Day: coming off a bad injury and has not shown a liking for links golf, but will surely win a major one day.

Marc Leishman: has a game that is well-suited to the weather that is likely to bob up at a seaside venue, coming from Warrnambool. His form has been okay, so would not surprise to see him bob up.

Brett Rumford: Has made only one cut in his last six European events, so form suggests he may not contend.

Rhein Gibson: NSW professional who qualified by finishing top-three at the Australian Open. Notable for having shot 55 in a round in the United States several years ago.

 Matt Jones: One to watch. Playing very solidly in the US including a win this year. But missed the cut at the Masters and US Open.

John Senden: Having another good year including a victory, but has never finished better than 35th at an Open Championship.

Bryden Macpherson: Victorian pro who made his way through qualifying. Has previously played in the Open and the Masters as the British amateur champion, but there for the experience this week.

Notable Thursday hit-off times (AEST):

 3.47pm Matt Jones

 3.58pm Marc Leishman

 6.04pm Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson, Angel Cabrera

 7.21pm Brett Rumford

 7.54pm Rhein Gibson

 9.10pm Bryden Macpherson

 10.38pm Jason Day

 11.27pm Adam Scott

 11.49pm John Senden

 The contenders:

 Adam Scott: is due to win this title, and has the game to do it.

 Justin Rose: won the Scottish Open last week on links; playing superbly.

 Henrik Stenson: Awesome ball-striker who has won the Tour Championship.

 Rory McIlroy: Always one to watch if his putter is working.

 Phil Mickelson: Defending champion who has developed a liking for links golf.

Tiger Woods watch

Tiger Woods, a three-time Open champion, is playing just his second tournament after returning to the game from back surgery. Woods says he aims to win, but realistically he is bound to have some rust in his game. He missed the cut at Congressional in his first start since rehab a few weeks ago.

There will be huge interest in his performance. ESPN, the American broadcaster, has dedicated a whole channel to showing his every move at Royal Liverpool, where he won the Open last time it was played there in 2006.

 Recent winners:

 2013 Phil Mickelson  (Muirfield)

2012 Ernie Els (Lytham)

2011 Darren Clarke (Royal St Georges)

2010 Louis Oosthuizen (St Andrews)

2009 Stewart Cink (Turnberry)

2008 Padraig Harrington (Royal Birkdale)

2007 Padraig Harrington (Carnoustie)

2006 Tiger Woods (Royal Liverpool)

 TV times

 Thursday 17 July: 6.00PM – 5.00AM AEST (FOX SPORTS 3)

Friday 18 July: 6.00PM – 5.00AM AEST (FOX SPORTS 3)

Saturday 19 July: 7.00PM – 4.30AM AEST (FOX SPORTS 3)

Sunday 20 July: 8.00PM – 5.00AM AEST (FOX SPORTS 3)