RECORD ENTRY FOR THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The attraction of the Old Course, St Andrews as the Open Championship venue in the millennium year, has been emphasised by a record entry of 2460, a significant increase on the previous record of 2222 set in 1998 at Royal Birkdale.

The entry includes 49 of the top 50 in the world rankings, the exception being Scott Hotch, and the championship will get underway with regional qualifying at a record 17 courses on Monday 10^th July.

Final Qualifying, where defending champion Paul Lawrie and joint runner-up Jean Van de Velde gained entry into last year’s Championship, will be played at Ladybank, Leven Links, Lundin and Scotscraig on Sunday 16^th and Monday 17^th July.