Muirfield’s popularity amongst players as a British Open venue will be tested by an extra 158 yards and “plenty” of rough for this year’s Championship from July 18-21.

The gauntlet has been thrown down to the 156 golfers whose ambition today is to become British Open champion at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Sunday evening — play it straight or you are in trouble.

By Simon Lewis, Lytham

Open Championship officials today admitted a number of bunkers at Royal Lytham were causing concern after the ongoing bad weather – but made no apologies for the rough described as “almost unplayable” by Tiger Woods.

Leeds have expressed an interest in unsettled Everton defenders Gary Naysmith and David Weir, according to the players’ agent.