In 1873 when the Open was held at storied St. Andrews for the first time, the entire tournament was played in 36 holes with the Scotsman Tom Kidd emerging victor to claim his cherished £11 of prize money.

Today, the winner’s bounty is £812,000 which equates to approximately £11,278 per hole played, a few “minor” decimal places more than in 1873. As the 3rd major championship of the year, St. Andrews is playing 6,680 meters long.

Not remarkable for length, St. Andrews defines British Open Championship golf with its pot (round, steep and small) bunkers, long wispy and often “fatal” grass off the fairways, the nagging blustery winds of links golf sustained at times by unpredictable winter like weather.

As the South African legend Gary Player commented on his way to victory in the 1968 Open: “I had to lean sideways to see the top of the flag.” Little more needs to be said about St. Andrews hosting its 28th British Open this year, almost double its closest counterpart Muirfield, (Scotland) which has held 15 Open Championships to date.

On this 150th edition of the event there are many more than the 8 Scotsmen who originally competed for the Championship in 1860. The field representing 22 countries is 156 strong. Let’s start with the Asians. Both Japan and South Korea boast 7 representatives each.

Thailand and Malaysia offer one player each. Considering the lob sided presence of the South Koreans and Japanese, Asia has one in 10 players competing for the championship and this without representation from India and China.

Japanese teenager and sensation Ryo Ishikawa carries the hopes of his nation for golfing glory to the Open. The Koreans are blessed with Y.E. Yang, defending PGA Championship winner, the always steady K.J. Choi and the impressive 19 year old Seung Yul Noh. These four are Asia’s best hopes for possible victory and golfing immortality.

The Americans as always have the most extensive (47 players) presence at the Open which reads like The Who’s Who of Golf.

They are headlined again by no other than Tiger Woods. The man has won the Open the last two times
it was held at St. Andrews in 2005 and 2000.

He expressed that his game is coming together recently at the ATT National and he has performed superbly at the year’s first 2 majors finishing 4th at both the Masters and the US Open. Will his encore at the Open be a much yearned for win?  

The other Americans to consider will be Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Ryan Moore, Heath Slocum, Nick Watney and Bubba Watson. The English have 22 players and will feature their big three: Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter all who have won on the US PGA Tour this year.

The Australian contingent will be 12 strong with the 22 year old young Jason Day leading the way. His countryman Robert Allenby could make waves at the Open with his consistent form of late. The South Africans are showing 10 players.

Tim Clark, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen could again make a major impression at the Open. Els finished 3rd at the US Open recently and has a British Open Championship win to his credit. Northern Ireland features the reigning US Open Champion Graeme McDowell along with the young Rory Mcilroy.

Their countryman Darren Clark has been showing good form on the European Tour recently. Padraig Harrington of the Republic of Ireland is never to be counted out as the winner of two Open Championships.

The Germans have the talented Martin Kaymer.

The Swedes Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson have the ability to shine on big occasions. The long hitting 27 year old Spaniard Alvaro Quiros with a European Tour win earlier this year could further add to Spanish sports dominance with a win at the Open.

Whoever the victor, winning an Open at St. Andrews is always a remarkable feat, especially this year on its 150th playing.

Pat Ward Thomas characterized Ben Hogan’s Open experience and victory best in 1953 with these words: “Imagine him as he scrutinizes a long, difficult stroke, with arms quietly folded, an inscrutable quarter smile on his lips, for all the world like a gambler watching the wheel spin.

And then the cigarette is tossed away, the club taken with abrupt decision, the glorious swing flashes and a long iron pierces the wind like an arrow.”

A better script could not be compiled as to have history’s next pages in major championships begin later this week.

Its 156 combatants are eager to claim the British Open’s 150th crowning glory at the great game’s oldest and most revered venue.

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