'A little bit of experience, a little bit of guile': The Open case for Padraig Harrington

'If you were to pick any tournament in the world where possibly an older guy could maybe take on the young guns a little bit more, a links at an Open Championship would probably be the one'

Republic of Ireland's Padraig Harrington during the practice day at The Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich. Picture: David Davies

So it turns out Martin Slumbers, the chief executive of the R&A, is a south of England man and that Royal St George’s is smack bang in the middle of his bailiwick.

“I know this golf course better than I know any of the other Open Championship golf courses,” he revealed on the eve of the 149th staging of the event.