Els wants links test to prepare for Open

ERNIE ELS last night called on European Tour bosses to schedule a tournament on a links golf course in the week prior to the British Open Championship.

And if the Scottish Open can't deliver a suitable venue, there are many other options available.

The great South African refrained from mentioning Ireland by name but also made it perfectly clear that he would be happy to tune up for the Open at places like Portmarnock and Baltray, the homes of the 2003 and '04 Irish Opens, or at any one of our other countless available links.