Harrington hopes the odds are right

Carnoustie Diary:The bookmakers can get it wrong, as illustrated by Zach Johnson's odds of 175 to 1 when he won the green jacket at Augusta in April . . . but even Padraig Harrington - who has won two Dunhill Links Championships, part of which is played at Carnoustie, in the past four years - was surprised to hear his odds were as low as 22 to 1 with some bookmakers for this week's British Open.

"Gee whiz," said Harrington, when he heard his odds. "I think the bookies are being a bit clever on that. Sure, it is nice to be considered to be in that position. But it doesn't help me win. It doesn't give me an extra shot start on the first tee.

"I'll go out there and play my golf and not worry. If you told me I was 100 to 1 this week, I wouldn't be trying any less than if I'm 22 to 1.

"You know, I think those odds are due to the fact it's a links course and I've played links golf and the fact there'll be a lot of sentimental betting, which the bookies can reduce their odds based on that. But it is probably not a fair reflection of the market. Fourth favourite? Hopefully they are right. I'd like to have the chance of being that high up."

Child-friendly ticket policy a nice touch

The British Open is unique in that it is the only major sporting event for which tickets may be purchased at the gate. While prices for each of the four days are £50 (€75), the R&A still admits children under 16 for free provided "they are accompanied on the day by a responsible adult".

Higgins's accuracy key to links game

It took David Higgins nine attempts to get through qualifying to tee up at the British Open . . . but his perseverance has paid off, and the Waterville professional - whose father, Liam, played in four Opens, making the cut once, in 1976 - is determined to make the most of his opportunity in his major debut this week.

"I was saying to a friend of mine I have probably holed the winning putt 1,000 times in my mind, and he said, 'Now you will have that chance to do it for real'. And I have a chance. I'm in there and anything can happen.

"I know the links well. It's tough, but it suits me. I'm good at links golf and there is no reason why I can't do well," said Higgins.

Higgins's statistics back up his assessment. According to the Genworth Financial statistics on the European Tour, he is second in driving accuracy on tour - hitting 73.6 per cent of fairways. Only Australia's Peter O'Malley, who is not playing here, is rated ahead of him.

Donald confident despite past failures

Luke Donald, ranked ninth in the world rankings, has a miserable record in the British Open. He missed the cut in his first five appearances in the championship, and his tied-35th finish at Hoylake last year was his best finish.

"Obviously, this hasn't been my best major . . . but if I play with good precision iron shots, then I should have a good chance this week," he said.

Of his poor showings in the major, Donald added, "I'm a better player now. I'm more confident, someone who can deal with all kinds of situations. I'm able to learn from those bad performances and try to get better."

The Englishman is also hoping his first major as a married man will bring him some luck. He married his long-time girlfriend, Diane Antonopoulos, on the Greek island of Santorini last month.

Carnoustie's Open champions

1931 Tommy Armour 296

1937 Henry Cotton 290

1953 Ben Hogan 282

1968 Gary Player 289

1975 Tom Watson 279

1999 Paul Lawrie 290

McIlroy targets amateur prize

Northern Ireland amateur Rory McIlroy is the youngest player taking part in the Open. But he is still old enough to remember what he was doing the last time the championship was at the course in 1999 - playing golf.

"I was at the junior world championship in San Diego. I finished fifth," said the 18-year-old, who qualified for this week by winning last year's European amateur title in Italy.

Recalling 1999, he said: "It was a holiday with golf thrown in and we watched the end of the Open in the pro shop there. I remember Jean Van de Velde and stuff and then (Paul) Lawrie making his two birdies to win."

McIlroy, from Holywood, Co Down, has been a star in the making for a long while, taking up the game at two and starting to play tournaments when he was seven. He is expected to turn professional after the Walker Cup at Royal County Down in September and the atmosphere this week will be great preparation for that.

Paired with Ryder Cup pair Henrik Stenson and Miguel Angel Jimenez in the first two rounds McIlroy, who two years ago carded an amazing 61 at Royal Portrush, added: "I will be pretty nervous on the first tee, but I feel very comfortable in the surroundings and just want to enjoy it. I'm playing well enough to make the halfway cut, and the silver medal (for the leading amateur provided he plays 72 holes) is a great goal for me." McIlroy made the cut in the Dubai Desert Classic, but failed to make it in Portugal and Spain.

Former big names elicit a Boo who

Paul Lawrie's win at Carnoustie in 1999 was big news around the world. But clearly it did not reach some parts.

The American Boo Weekley, who makes his British Open debut this week, said: "I didn't even know he won here. I don't pay no attention to no golf. I was playing the mini-tours. I was probably fishing or something."

The two were paired in the Scottish Open last week and Weekley - real name Thomas Brent, but called Boo after Yogi Bear's sidekick Boo-Boo - asked Lawrie how he got into this week's field.

"You qualify?" he said to the Scot. "I didn't know."

It did not end there. Asked about Jean Van de Velde he replied, "Who? What did he do?"

Injury forces Olazabal to withdraw

Twice former US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal has pulled out of this week's championship with a knee injury.

The Spaniard was already doubtful for the event after withdrawing from last week's Scottish Open because of the problem with his left knee.

He had been scheduled to tee off with Graeme McDowell and US Masters champion Zach Johnson and his place will be taken by American Tom Pernice Jr.