Troon links an American dream

British Open: Each year, the statistic becomes a greater handicap than ever. Not since Paul Lawrie won the British Open at Carnoustie in 1999 has a European player won a major and, for those interested in the "horses-for-courses" theory, and especially over the Royal Troon links where Americans have dominated in recent championships, it would be foolhardy on anyone betting against that trend changing this week, writes  Philip Reid at Troon

While from 1934 to 1962 only three Americans won the British Open, that has all changed. Of the 41 that have followed, 22 have been captured by Americans, including the last four at Troon. Why should it be?

"I've no answer," remarked Mark Calcavecchia, winner of the claret jug here in 1989. You know, maybe some of the other courses favour the Europeans a little more than this one, especially on the front nine where the fairways are a little flat.

"But you don't have to play 20 rounds of golf here to understand the course like you might at Royal St George's or even St Andrews. That could possibly be the one thing I can think of."

Yet, neither Calcavecchia nor Justin Leonard, winner here in 1997, are likely to strike too much fear into their rivals this time round. "I'd put my chances at just short of a miracle," admitted Calcavecchia when asked if he could repeat his win of 15 years ago. "Everything would have to go great for me. This year my golf game has been very good at times and awful at times."

If Calcavecchia at least was honest about his own title aspirations, Leonard - who arrived in town to discover that the hotel has renamed a suite after him in honour of his victory in 1997 - was holding out for a return to some sort of form.

"I wouldn't say my chances were too high, but this week I'm probably the most rested and fresh that I have been all year. I've really been able to get away from the game and, if I can continue to build a little bit of confidence, and get better each day, who knows?"

In actual fact, Leonard's last two appearances on the US Tour - in the US Open at Shinnecock Hills and the following week's Booz Allen Classic - resulted in missed cuts, which then prompted him to take two weeks off. He didn't touch a club for eight days and just resumed practising last week.

"I think once I get on the first tee, the last six months will disappear. If I can go out and get a decent round under my belt, get something to build on, I can maybe get something going. I certainly have a better attitude coming here than I've had for the past couple of months, and I feel like my golf swing is pretty good."

Bristol's John Morgan has received an apology from the US Tour after they made the mistake of telling him he was playing in this week's Open.

Morgan lost a play-off to Mark Hensby at the John Deere Classic in Illinois on Sunday and the US Tour initially announced the spot went to Morgan. But after the tournament was over, an official announced that the spot did not go to Morgan, but to first reserve Barry Hume instead.