Preview Golf: The Open

this gentle north-to-north-westerly drift. Lighter winds but not warmer.

The same can be said for Friday, more showers across the northern

half of the UK. Very few showers for the Golf open, starting Friday.

Heavy showers on Thursday, possibly again on Friday. It is central and

eastern England that will have the bulling of -- bulk of showers on

Friday. Drying off from the west. A ridge of high pressure for Saturday,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 123 seconds

I always said if you want to be the best golfer in the world... Looks

like it is in the parking lot. Ballesteros is the champion. This

The Open champion of the 1988, Ballesteros! And Jacklin is the

winner. Hello and welcome to Lancashire.

Welcome to Royal Lytham and St Annes golf course, scene of the

Open Championship, what a course, and what stories we have had here

in the pursuit of this claret jug. One of the most significant was a

Tony Jacklin's victory in 1969, the last time an Englishman one in

English soil. Now with a two Englishman ranked in the top three,

I am proud of my record in Major championships over the last few

years. When you map out your schedule you put the Major

championships down first, hopefully, one of these days I will win one.

Come Thursday are have got to go out there back and do it, that is

where the mental part comes in, go out there, relax, play like you are

a kid. Like you're a friend and prove to him, look, watch this shot.

That is the mindset you have got to I didn't come and have a practice

round last week like a lot of the lads did. Purely because I didn't

want to be thinking about the Open JB ship and put too much emphasis

on it, I didn't want to stress myself too much, I wanted to just

turn up and play. I think it is a great golf course. Really well

designed. The bunkers are in the perfect position to make you really

think around this golf course. Even at Ballesteros winning here come

the is one of my idols, the way he played the game. I just loved and

admired his short game, I tried to copy some of his techniques, as

well. Also, Tony Jacklin winning here in 1969, I believe. Hopefully

Sometimes you make your own luck, and other times it goes against you.

That is just the way golf is and life is. Oh well continually try

and improve, that is about all I can do. One of the day's big door

will open and I will walk through it. No one is going to play 72

holes perfectly, so you are going to miss some shots, usually that

will be in the bunker up. He doesn't give you a lot of

opportunity if you are offered. But at majors, it your short game is

better than everyone else's, it gives you a big advantage.

We are joined by the man who broke the mould, Tony Jacklin. You ended

an 18 year wait for an English winner. What gives you the good

vibes, if you have them, about Westwood and Donald? Obviously,

they have played a lot of consistent golf over the last

couple of years. And they are ready. Especially lead, he knows what it

is like to be rumbling on the Sunday in a Major. Luke Donald has

not been so fortunate in Major quests. They are ready mentally,

from a Coria. Could be you. I think they feel that the general public

feel that it is time one of them got it done. Yet arguably it is

getting more difficult. A nine of the last 15 our first time winners.

Why does it appear to be becoming more of a lottery? You go through

trains like that. -- at Trent. There are so many good players now.

If you get off to a good start, they are all winners, and a lot of

them deal with majors... I have read the articles like you have,

they treated very much as another tournament. Although we never did!

Parry, looking forward to being part of the commentary team. It is

great to have you here. Northern Ireland have punched well above

their weight. Three Major winners in the last three years. We will

talk about McDowell and Clarke shortly, but first, the man who

splits Donald and Westwood in the world championships, it is Rory

MacRory. If you ask anyone, I will tell you

I'm a dreamer, deep down I always believed I would get there one day.

I took the US Open trophy and I won't do trophy off Darren this

year. I felt like I have done a lot of good work over the past couple

of weeks, the game a feels good, the swing it feels good. The short

game appeals pretty sharp. I can't wait for the first tee shot to come.

It seems as if a lot of golfers are seen this as at one of the toughest

Open courses that has been played in a few years. Yes, the whole key

is putting the ball the fairway. You can't go into the fairway

bunkers here because you are going to be playing out sideways. The

rough is some of the thickest we have seen at an Open championship,

there has been so much rain and so much growth. The guy who can put

his ball on the fairway more than anyone else has a great chance.

have that natural aggression to your game, his Patient's something

you have to have on a course like this? You have to have patience.

Trying to plot your way around, you will pick up a few birdies along

the way, trying to stay really patient. Wherever you go these days

there has hype but follows you around, do you feel it particularly

at this championship? Is there something special here? Theories,

it is a Major championship, there is always going to be that home

support, a little bit more attention and hype, that is

something I had to deal with last year going into it after the US

Open Foster this year, it has been a brutal law -- a bit more low key,

which I have liked. But it is a great feeling coming back here.

Only one Major under the belt go by what would it mean for you to claim

this one? It would be incredible, it would definitely mean more to

the winning the second than the first. The first is obviously an

unbelievable feeling, and it is great to get it out of the way. But

I suppose, just to prove to yourself and others that you're not

just a one-hit wonder, you can go on and win more. It would mean a

lot to me. We're already cranking it up to

fever pitch in the commentary box. What about Rory? He arrived as the

new superstar 12 months ago, but what might we expect this time?

think he has to address his at practice regime, because it is also

natural to him. So he has knuckled down a bit, if you are going to win

Major titles you really have to concentrate. He has the ability to

dominate this golf course. There is not going to be too much breeze. If

he is brave enough and digs his is the right time to go with the

driver, he could go round here at some low numbers. It will be

interesting to see his strategy, you don't want to be over

aggressive, it is a matter of getting it just right. He said that

his long game is excellent, which is unusual for a player to say.

months ago he blamed everything, the weather, his luck, the draw,

and in retrospect he says that the fight went out with him in bad

weather. How significant you think that might be that he admits it? A

if you play links golf at some point you will get in a spot of

bother and get cross with yourself. Last year's open, his invitations -

- expectations were so high, I think the answer is understanding

your witnesses. -- weaknesses. It is nice that Lawrie has done that.

Here we are, on the coast in Lancashire, one of the UK's classic

seaside courses, except paid you cannot see ditsy. To get a bit of

perspective on our home for the next few days, we have got to get a

bit of height of. The fantastic thing about all the

great courses is they all have their own unique feel and identity.

So what about Royal Lytham and St Annes, the course and the place?

The best way to have a look is from up above. The one thing it is

famous for is that you cannot see the sea, it is surrounded by

buildings. But it acts like a links course, it has the wind and the

weather, even with the houses around, doesn't quite look like it.

This corner of the north-west of England is famous for its links

courses, you have hillside, Southport, you have great golfing

country. Course back from maybe one reusable Borough but it is - a

critic and he's your quintessential Victorian purpose-built resort.

Lots of people came in to take the sea air and play a bit of golf.

Blackpool has always been a little bit more lively than Royal Lytham

and St Annes. If there is one thing that Blackpool is known for, it is

the iconic Blackpool Tower. In 1889 the Mayor of black Paul went over

to the Eiffel Tower and said it he wanted one of those. It was built

in 1894, in such a way that if it should never fall over, it would

fall into the sea, which is nice to know. On to the present, it is all

about the course, and if you look from here, you see how green it is.

The other thing you see is how many bunkers there are, more than any

other on the course. So the history of this course is it is billed for

pleasure and relaxation. It won't be like that for everybody, but

somebody will have the time of There are 157 players in the field

this week, you can make a case to win a for many of them. Nobody is

read dominating the Major seen at the moment. -- really debating.

Including this bunch of the UK but leaders.

Four years ago Ian Poulter holed a putt he thought would be enough to

win. It wasn't enough, but he was in decent form in France recently

and relishes the big stage. His big front Justin Rose has Tiger Woods

for company over the first at two rounds, having won a World

Championship event earlier this year, he has every reason for

conference this week. A Graeme McDowell knows what it

takes to win a Major. He says he has the buzz again and he has just

to game and temperature and -- temperament to thread his way

through the dangers. It has been a miserable time for

Paul Casey after injuring his shoulder snowboarding. The

offending board has been burnt, and Katie has growing confidence he can

rediscover the form that put him in Martin Laird has established

himself as a classy figure in the top 40 and is twice a winner on the

PGA Tour, but is not the top Scottish player in the rankings at

the moment. That honour falls to Paul Lawrie, who is on track for a

return to the Ryder Cup. And who knows? Maybe a second claret jug.

After all, it was him when the rough was up in 1999, when he won a

cast to -- Carnoustie. Ian Carter will be one as part of the Radio 5

Live team. Their coverage starts at 6am. You are part of the on course

record -- reporting team and you have some good walking shoes I hope,

because you have a lot of miles to cover. I have some well-worn golf

shoes and I can cope with the mud. As a former Ryder Cup player

yourself and ex-world No. 9 you have a good eye over who are yours?

All of the top players have a chance. Luke Donald, world No. 1,

and if you're the best play you have a chance to win any tournament.

Lee Westwood Knox on the Major Tour all the time so who flee he will

win his first. Graeme McDowell has managed to win the US Open, so he

is a links player and he grew up on a links course in Northern Ireland,

so I fancy he will have a great chance going into Sunday. He has

been in good form and challenge at the US Open, so he feels like a

Major player. Justin Rose, still in the world top 10 and he burst onto

the scene here as an amateur all those years ago, so a lot of

experience on the Tour. He has won some big tournaments in the States

and the next thing in his career is to win a Major as well. Believe it

or not, I have left Rory Raleigh out. Everywhere we look, British

players who won more than capable of winning -- Rory Raleigh. David,

you are filling us with hope. Whoever wins will have to conquer

the longest links in history. All 7086 yards, with over 200 bunkers.

56 more than any other Open venue. And this year with some of the

thickest, juiciest rough we have seen at any of the opens for a long

year. What will it take to win it? Walking from the putting green to

the first, you go past the professional shop and under the

grandstand, but the thing about the first hole is that it is a par-

three which makes things a bit different. Under this grandstand

there will be some rumblings of footprints and then the light comes

out like going on to a stage. 205 yards, and the tee is sheltered so

club selection is important and you are also a little nervy! Over 200

bunkers peppered all over the golf course and look at these on 18.

Magical. You have to avoid them at all costs. If you start missing the

fairways, the rough is terribly sick and we are all of this rain it

is lying down, tangled and there will be places you could hardly get

the ball on the fairway. Terrible stuff. At Lytham St Anne's if you

go beyond the long rough you may have half a chance. But this week,

driving accuracy and finding the fairway will be key. A player

walking up the 18th, look at the bunkers. Look at the fairways.

Fantastic sight. If you win here, you were a real champ. Plenty more

to come from Ken Brown. The last time the Open came here in 2001 and

1996 and American walked away with the job. With Tiger Woods

dominating the headlines again, a breakthrough performance from the

likes of Bubba Watson and also a hunter Mahan and Keegan Bradley, US

golfing stock is high. Who better to assess their chances than US

Davies, thank you for talking to us. Can we start with Tiger, the top

man. He missed sandwich last year sorry the -- so what is the

challenge? He will have to drive the ball on the fairway but he

plays the Open as smart as anyone. I remember Freddie Couples watching

and we were wondering why he wasn't hitting the driver but he ended up

winning. I think he will do well. He is in good shape. It will be

exciting to watch. A in terms of the other challengers from America,

Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson. Any players that really suit the

course? A match could she drives the ball say -- straight. He is

good in the wind. The Americans, if they tried it in a fairway, they

will do well. That is the key. -- drive it in the fairway. We seem to

be putting well as agreed. They are winning tournaments and they are

confident. But the Open Championship, all of these bunkers,

the deep rough, how wet and tough it is, you will have to drive it on

the fairway. Maybe Dustin Johnson will back off the driver of it.

many young Americans coming through. The two Majors have been won by

Americans already. What about those youngsters? They are playing well.

If they play patiently and keep it on the fairway and not get

frustrated because they might get a bad conditions one-day or bad

bounces, but the more experience here, the better. If the younger

guys have picked up anything from the older guys, they can play well.

Asking you about your own game. You played here in 1987 and this is

your 26. How was your game in shape? Will we see a challenge from

the Ryder Cup captain? I always enjoy playing in the open. It's one

of my favourite events. I will keep grinding away and trying to win.

Dan was very inspiring -- Darren was very inspiring and he came here

and won. If I can keep the ball on the fairway and stay calm and

relaxed and makes some parts, I can be as competitive as anyone. Have

you got one eye on the Ryder Cup? Yes. Have a great week. Thanks for

But the man they hope to follow this week his 84th in the world.

Darren Clarke returning McLaren joke to the organisers on Monday

after what he said was a brilliant year off the course -- of the

claret jug. But a frustrating year on the course for Darren. There are

so many things standing out about St George's, one of the most

special was the fans and how they were shouting my name up,

especially of the walk up 18. Then walking up there to the grandstand

and there they were shouting. That is everybody's dream. That is the

ultimate. Everybody was screaming The Open champion. Congratulations,

Darren Clarke. We know you enjoy the 12 hours after your victory,

but what about the 12 months after? The incredibly busy. But at the

same time I'm so proud to have been open champion. I've travelled round

the world and have shown the claret jug to people who have never seen

it. They have never physically held. That sort of stuff has been

wonderful for me. I have had a better time on the course than off

it. I may be tried too hard. But all in all, a fantastic year.

there a Darren Clarke gap in the household in case the magic happens

again? You could always find a space for that claret jug. I relish

the Open Championship. It is the most special tournament in the

world to me. It is history, it is the oldest, the biggest and best

golf tournament in the world. I am very proud to have my name on the

Well, he turned up as a 158/one shock last year and is the same

again this year. Stranger things have happened. The last time we

were here, Darren finished third alongside Ian Woosnam but it could

have been so much better for the Welshman who fell victim to one of

the most notorious chapters in Open As I got closer to the lead, the

crowd were roaring and I tried to but we have discovered Ian Woosnam

has too many clubs in his back, so Very, very disappointed. It took me

four or five minutes to recover. And notorious episode. Peter Alliss

has joined me, covering his 51st open and you have seen it all. You

look back at that incident with Ian Woosnam, and the golfing gods can

be called. But from what you have seen in the build up, what do you

expect this time? I have always enjoyed living St Anne's. I came

here first to play in 1952 and I have been to every one since. It

has lots of bunkers and you must make your score on the outward nine.

When you turn for home, 10, 11, 12, they are no pushovers. It is going

to be a funny old thing that happens. Sometimes you have one of

the favourites win, but sometimes a nearly man wins and then you get

someone out of the blue, so to predict the winners is a ridiculous

thing to do. But it will be a good test. The weather forecast is not

very good as far as the wind concision -- conditions are

concerned. When this place is windy, it is treacherous. A lot of

patience and accuracy required. Yeah, and some luck. Speaking of

the luck of the draw, a selection of the tee times for you. Darren

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 123 seconds

Clarke gets his defence and away at There are so many ways to keep up-

to-date with the action. Five live sport is on the air from 6am. If

you go on the red button, there is a live feed off three halls

throughout the day, 9, 10 and 11 and rolling highlights. -- three

holes. All of the interviews, live text commentary and you can get

that on your laptop. Everything you could possibly want when it comes