St Andrews has recently hosted the men's Open at five-year intervals

The Old Course will measure 6,638 yards - only 641 yards shorter than the Open won by Tiger Woods in 2005.

It will also be a par 73 rather than the men's 72, with the famous Road Hole 17th becoming a par five of 453 yards.

Next year's event looks set to be played at Sunningdale while the 2009 and 2010 championships will definitely be at Royal Lytham and Royal Birkdale.

Office equipment company Ricoh takes over the as event sponsors after 20 years under the Weetabix banner, with prize money again just over �1m.

American star Paula Creamer played a practice round at St Andrews last week and said: "It was one of the best golfing moments of my career and I can't wait to return in August."