Frank Keogh
Reports on the build-up to the Open |
Former Open champion Paul Lawrie is at home on the range even when he is away from the course.
Lawrie famously won at Carnoustie in 1999 after Jean Van de Velde sunk his own chances in the water.
And he will not be short of practice as he bids to repeat the triumph at Royal St George's in Sandwich, Kent.
At his home, the Scot boasts an outdoor grass green, outdoor artificial green, plus an indoor artificial green.
"I hit putts in the evening when the kids go to bed," the father-of-two told BBC Five Live.
Fully booked A Sandwich hotel is still turning down business - years after being booked up for the Open.
Rooms were set aside at the Bell Hotel for officials once the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, which organises the big tournament, knew it would be staged at the Royal St George's course.
The Bell is the nearest hotel to the golf course, and has taken plenty of inquiries in the last few weeks.
General manager Bill Howie told this website: "The R&A took the precaution of ensuring not just the host club, but the final qualifying club, was free at that time.
"We've got 33 rooms here, and they booked about five years in advance."
School's out Hundreds of local pupils are celebrating before the crowds have even descended on Sandwich.
Term has finished early at several schools, and many children will earn extra money with part-time jobs at the course carrying out tasks such as cleaning up the litter.
Ken Hipwell, bursar at Sir Roger Manwood's School where lessons finished on Friday, remembers the previous tournament at Sandwich in 1993.
"It's the biggest thing to hit Sandwich. It went well last time - the place comes alive with all the people coming in," he said.
No joy for Roy
Former footballer Roy Wegerle has missed another Open goal.
 Wegerle switched sporting careers |
The ex-striker turned to professional golf after ending his career which saw service with clubs including Chelsea and QPR. Now aged 39, the South African-born Wegerle would love to play in a major tournament.
But his dream of making the 2003 Open was dashed at Stockport, one of 16 venues used for regional qualifying competitions.
Wegerle could only manage a three-over-par 74 as he missed out by four strokes.
"I got hooked on this game four years ago, but although I decided to turn pro I'm still a baby at it," he admitted.
Making a crust Headline writers will savour Sandwich, a venue too tasty to escape the bread and butter of newspaper puns.
As leading players fight it out for the dough while others chicken out, the hacks can ham it up or be left with egg on their face.
But surely no-one can surpass the Mirror's spread on Scot Sandy Lyle's victory in 1985.
'Great and Lyle' proclaimed the tabloid. It was a play on Tate and Lyle, the sugar makers. Sweet.
The name's Bond... Sandwich will always have a licence to thrill - James Bond author Ian Fleming was captain-elect at Royal St George's before his sudden death in 1964.
The Kent course was said to have inspired Fleming's idea for a golf showdown in the 007 classic Goldfinger.
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