Golf: Wind gets up over the Old Course

WEATHER was on the agenda at St Andrews today as the world's top golfers put in their final preparations for this week's Open Championship.

As had been forecast, it was a lot more windy than earlier in the week for the final day of practice with gusts of up to 37mph expected around lunchtime at the 'Home of Golf'.

It was set to become wet, too, and had also become much cooler with a high of 13C being predicted by the weather men.

Players had been warned to expect such conditions on the eve of the event and, as a result, had probably put in the bulk of their on-course preparations earlier in the week.

The wind is set to die down for tomorrow's opening round, when the first shot will be hit at 6.30am by former winner Paul Lawrie. But it's likely to pick up again for Friday and Saturday, with some rain also being forecast for the first of those two days before becoming brighter for the weekend.

Crowds of more than 200,000 are expected for the event, with today's action also including a Champions' Challenge involving more than 20 former winners. It was being held to mark the event's 150th Anniversary.

One player facing an anxious wait today was Englishman Brian Davis. As first reserve, he flew over from the United States but first thing this morning was still not in the 156-strong field.

American Paul Goydos secured the last of the spots after finishing second at the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour on Sunday, the same day Darren Clarke got in through his runner-up finish in the Barclays Scottish Open.

Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia has revealed he might have a surprise up his sleeve to celebrate Spain's World Cup win in South Africa. The Ryder Cup star was sporting a Spanish top during a practice round yesterday and although he won't be allowed to wear that during the event itself he's promising a "nice surprise" for the opening round.

With Rafael Nadal also having won at Wimbledon, Garcia has a chance this week to complete a memorable few weeks for Spain. "Winning The Open would be awesome. I love this tournament and the crowds and I'm hoping I can get back into my form," he added.