Compiled by PHILIP REID
Fond memories: Garcia lists Open as his preferred choice
Once known as El Nino for his youthful endeavours and seemingly irresistible path towards claiming a Major title, Sergio Garcia – at the ripe old age of 32 – has returned to Royal Lytham and St Annes hoping to be inspired by the feats of the late Seve Ballesteros, who won two of his Claret Jugs on the links.
"1996 was my first Open, here at Lytham, and I got to play with Seve in practice rounds. Then I played back here in 2001, too. With everything that Seve has done here, and the way he did it, it is very important to me. I just hope I can give myself my best performance so that I am at least out there having a chance," said Garcia.
In recalling the accomplishments of Ballesteros here, which included his win of 1979 that led to him being called the "Car Park Champion" when the maestro played a recovery shot from the BBC car park adjacent to the 16th hole.
"Seve spoke to me about some of the shots he hit when he won but one of the things I remember most was the people (reaction towards him). Just the aura Seve had. Walking with him let you feel the energy there was around him. The people threw him energy. I can't imagine how it would have been playing a tournament with him, when it was like that during practice days."
Garcia's own quest for a Major has suffered its share of heartbreak, most notably when he lost a play-off to Pádraig Harrington at Carnoustie in 2007. "You know how much the Ryder Cup means to me, but apart from the Ryder Cup, the Open is my favourite tournament. I love everything about it. Not only the tournament itself, the courses, the history behind it, the crowds. I love the way the crowds embrace me, the energy they show me. That's one of the reasons I have been fortunate enough to do well at the Open. If you tell me I can only win one Major in my life, the Open is the one I would choose. No doubt about it."
Slow no: officials say time limits will be enforced
The bugbear of slow play raises its head each and every year at the British Open, where it would seem some players take an eternity in preparation to hit a shot.
But the RA have issued warnings to players that the slow play policy will be stringently enforced this week. "The RA Championship Committee are putting slow play as a priority . . . at the rules briefing we briefed the walking rules officials.
"As far as the time of play is concerned, we have allowed on the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday in threeballs for four hours and 30 minutes. And for twoballs on Saturday and Sunday three hours and 45 minutes," said championship chairman Jim McArthur.
It remains to be seen if such stringent times are enforced. No player has ever been given a penalty for slow play at the Major.
Olympic mayhem: Not for Westwood
The Olympics may be the biggest sporting draw of the summer but it will pass by world number three Lee Westwood.
"I'm going to miss the mayhem and be out of the country – so I won't be available for security duties," joked the English golfer in reference to the much-publicised staffing problems the security company G4S have endured.
"I shall be in America for the duration of the Olympics so it's a shame. I would like to have gone. It's very special for London to be hosting the Olympics and I hope it runs smoothly."
Easy Ryder: No risks for Colsaerts
Nicolas Colsaerts knows he is one big week away from putting himself in line for a Ryder Cup debut – so he is playing it safe at the Open this year.
Last July at Sandwich the 29-year-old decided the best way to avoid expected traffic jams was to hire a scooter, but he crashed and had to pull out with an elbow injury.
"No scooters, no bicycle – nothing like that this time," Colsaerts said.
"I'll either be getting a courtesy car each day or I'll walk it – the house we're renting is close enough to do that." Colsaerts won the Volvo World Match Play in Spain in May and is 12th in the Ryder Cup standings. No Belgian has played in the Ryder Cup.
