Brendan is in Hyogo Prefecture near Osaka for this week's Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open, so called as it offers the opportunity for players finishing inside the top four in this event the chance to play the Open Championship at Turnberry.

Brendan won this event in 2004 in a playoff. "That was at another venue which suited me much better than this week's  course," said Brendan. "There is the prospect of an Open start however so am keen to do as well as I can."

"They have made a lot of changes to this course in the past twelve months, not all of which suit me but having said that I am keen to give it a go," said Brendan on the eve of this week's event. "They have changed all the greens and tees since I was last here which is obviously a major transformation."

Brendan still requires a start at the Open Championship and this remains his only hope. He will tee it up at 8.14 on day one.   

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