The Open 2010: Steven Tiley aims to take Open seriously

The Open Championship, St Andrews, 15-18 July
Coverage: Live on BBC TV, Red Button, BBC Sport website, with updates on BBC Radio 5 live Full coverage details

By Ged Scott
BBC Sport at St Andrews

Tiley is in his third year as a professional

Kent's Steven Tiley has played at the Open before - as an amateur when he missed the cut at Royal Troon in 2004.

But, in his first Open since he turned pro, he insists that he will not be playing it for laughs in this week's 150th anniversary event at St Andrews.

"I was just an amateur in 2004," said Tiley. "It was a week to soak in the experience and have a good time.

"But this time I will take it more seriously. I like to think I'm more professional now," he told BBC Sport.

Tiley, now 27, still only missed the cut by just two shots in 2004 after failing to follow up a promising one-under 71 by shooting 76 the following day.

But, having turned pro in 2007, after playing the Asia Tour, where he proved he could compete by winning the 2009 Egyptian Open, he has moved up a grade to the Challenge Tour this year.

I love playing links golf and this is my favourite of the majors, wherever it is.

Steven Tiley

And he found his form in final qualifying in Scotland two weeks ago when he shot rounds of 69 and 68 at Scotscraig, then held his nerve to win one of the two available spots in a three-man play-off with fellow southerner Gary Clark and Scotsman Lloyd Saltman, who missed out.

And now the young man from Herne Bay, who learned his golf on the links courses of Kent, most notably at Royal Cinque Ports, cannot wait to get started on the Old Courser.

"It's a special tournament no matter where it is," he said. "But this year being at St Andrews makes it even more special.

"I've had a couple of rounds already and I warmed up last week by playing Royal St Georges, as well as my own club, Royal Cinque Ports.

"I was brought up playing at Royal Cinque Ports, I love playing links golf and this is my favourite of the majors, wherever it is.

"St Andrews can be tricky when the wind gets up. But, when it doesn't blow, it's one of the easiest on the rota. It just depends on the weather and the wind."