Lineker makes his debut as a golf presenter this week when he fronts the BBC's Open highlight's programme.

And he will have a close eye on how the world's leading players fare at holes 13 and 14 in particular.

Lineker, who boasts a handicap of four, claimed back-to-back birdies at those two holes as he fired a level-par back nine in a practice round on Tuesday.

The damage had already been done to his card in a front nine which included four lost balls, but there was no hiding Lineker's enthusiasm for the Lytham links.

"It's a great golf course. It is tight and the rough is high and up around your knees, but I think it's fair," he said.

"The greens are relatively receptive and if you hit it straight you can score, but the wind is blowing and it is going to be tough."

It certainly didn't look that way when Lineker tore up the back nine on Tuesday, though he admitted the wind is certain to play its part this week.

"When I played, the wind was the opposite to the norm.

"It was an east wind right in your face going out, which made it brutal, and coming back there were a lot of holes downwind. So you could score on the back nine.

"The normal wind here helps you on the way out. You make your score and then hang on to it when the wind is against you on the way back.

"The wind seems to have turned round so it will be interesting to see how it plays.

Lineker is also relishing a breath of fresh air as a presenter as he swaps football for golf for the week.

"I'm looking forward to it.

'Quite relaxed

"It's a wonderful game and to get involved in another sport is a good thing, especially if you are as keen as I am about it.

"I'm not out there giving my expert opinion about the game, because that wouldn't be right.

"But, as regards presenting a programme, it is not really any different from how I do the football. You show some action, you talk about then I ask questions of people who know far more about it than I do.

"I don't envisage too many problems. I'm quite relaxed about it actually."