The Open is one of the enduring highlights of the British sporting summer, along with Wimbledon, Royal Ascot and Test cricket - preferably an Ashes series.

What began as little more than a local spat on the west coast of Scotland in 1860 has become a global event, with the world's top players congregating for a four-day celebration of golf at its finest in mid-July.

The third of the four Golf Majors annually, the tournament is run by the R&A (Royal and Ancient) based at St Andrews and throws its doors open wide, with regional qualifying heats in the UK and others all over the world.

It is a tournament with a unique character, largely because of the richness of its history, which weaves an unbroken tapestry back to the days of hickory clubs and gutta-percha balls.

It is also played 'au naturel', on links courses that are not quite untouched by human hand, but at least possess more than a passing resemblance to the original coastal landscapes from which they grew.

The Open moves around among seashore venues that have a rugged beauty but are also at the mercy of the British weather. Even in midsummer that can be cruel, particularly on a windy day. It all makes for a special kind of drama.

Each year, at the end, comes the presentation of the Claret Jug, a coveted prize that ranks with the Ryder Cup and the Green Jacket in golfing fame. Not forgetting the money, of course. The Open has a prize fund very few can match.