The first thing I noticed upon arriving at St Andrews in Scotland for golf's oldest major is that this is a notch above other Open Championships I have been to; in terms of crowds, in terms of security for what was - make no bones about it - a practice day. It feels like a major global sporting event, which of course, it is.
The second thing I noticed is the primary defence of the course, which suits big hitting golfers, is wind. This is more of a factor than say, a Carnoustie, which is bolstered by rough, or Royal St George's which has a lot of blind shots. I arrived at 11am and the weather was miserable - dreary, with rain that soaked you to the bone. Grim. 4 hours later and there wasn't a puff of wind as the sun enveloped the famous 18th hole right next to this old university town.
The third thing I observed is that while golf as a participatory sport may be facing challenges due to the lack of terrestrial television coverage or the era of short attention spans, golf as a competitive sport is in a very healthy place. In the Tiger Woods 'era', his absence from a major would lessen the event. World number one Rory McIlroy's benching due to a football injury is a disappointment, but there are so many story lines that give the 2015 renewal significant weight.
Jordan Spieth has been criticised for playing the John Deere Classic last week (which he won, incidentally), as it could take away the chance to prepare properly in bidding to become the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win the first three majors of the season. What people are under playing is that Jordan Spieth could now go to Hawaii for six months and his achievements this year in winning the Masters and US Open at the age of 21 would still be phenomenal. It's not ideal to get to know St Andrews on a simulator, which has been Jordan's Modus Operandi, but it may simply be the law of averages that catch up with him this week, rather than any deficiencies in his brilliant mental approach, allied to sensational putting.
Of the other leading contenders, Rickie Fowler is now finishing off tournaments, and his win at the Scottish Open reinforced his reputation as somebody who revels in links golf. If Dustin Johnson can get over his three putt at Chambers Bay, his game is tailor made for St Andrews. Louis Oosthuizen won this tournament by 7 shots in 2010 and comes to Scotland in form. Sergio Garcia may remain a bridesmaid, but his Open record is excellent, while Henrik Stenson is knocking on the door. Expect a respectable, but middle of the pack finish from Tiger Woods; Phil Mickelson's career swansong probably came at Muirfield, and by all means, expect surprises, especially from European Tour players who are familiar with these type of greens and the Dunhill Links Tournament. Michael Campbell, Simon Owen and Ian Baker Finch all lit up past Opens in Fife without winning.
Finally, the in form Shane Lowry appears best placed of the Irish quintet to challenge. A top 10 at the US Open and a liking for St Andrews should propel the Offaly native into contention. Paul Dunne will love the experience, but is an amateur; Darren Clarke is out of form; Graeme McDowell has had injury problems and may prefer a tighter track - and Padraig Harrington? Well he has nothing to prove. If he's there or thereabouts on Sunday, he can challenge for a third claret jug, but I get the sense that even Padraig doesn't know what's going to happen this week. He's not alone. It's up to the golfing gods. And that makes the next four days so special. Enjoy.
