Speaking from his tournament week house in Birkdale in Southport today, Brendan expressed his delight at the Royal Birkdale layout.

"I played on Sunday and yesterday and I really like the course. It's fantastic condition wise and it is going to be tough test. There was a bit of breeze out there yesterday and and on some of the par fours even I was going into them with woods. I am certainly not one of the shorter hitters out here so it will be tough for many."

"The rough is pretty brutal but it is afterall the Open Championship and that's the way it should be. I am happy enough at the way I am playing although late yesterday I was starting to get a little tired and lost a bit of form. Generally though it feels ok and I am really excited about playing my second Open Championship."

After a day or two to get over the trip from Japan and a slight cold, Brendan felt much better today. "I've got an early start on in the opening round (6.52) and will play only 9 holes today and another 9 tomorrow as I want to be fit and ready on Thursday," said Brendan.