The magic starts today at St Andrews

59,075 days after Old Tom Morris played one of the most significant golf shots in history, The Open will take centre stage again after months of build-up and a week of celebration.

The 150th staging is finally ready and on Thursday morning Paul Lawrie - his heart pounding and his mouth dry - will follow in Morris' footsteps and in turn will be followed by 155 others, all with dreams of lifting the Claret Jug and becoming instant legends on Sunday night.

Only 87 men can claim to be a Champion Golfer, including 18 in this week’s field, but we have not had a repeat champion since Ernie Els secured his second Claret Jug at Royal Lytham & St Annes a decade ago. 

That bodes well for the 137 others but the list of players hoping to win again contains a who's who of golf.

Tiger Woods is the headline act in just his third tournament since a life-threatening car crash, while Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Collin Morikawa are among the champions bidding for another taste of glory. 

Who do you think will lift the jug for the 150th time?