MANY OF THE COMPETITORS FOR THIS YEAR'S BRITISH OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT AT THE ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB, HOYLAKE, WERE OUT ON THE COURSE TODAY PRACTISING FOR WEDNESDAY'S (JULY 12) FIRST ROUND.

THE STRONG FOREIGN CONTINGENT IS HEADED BY THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, JACK NICKLAUS OF THE UNITED STATES. NICKLAUS IS THE THREE TO ONE FAVOURITE FOR THE TOURNAMENT.

OTHER TOP AMERICANS COMPETING THIS YEAR INCLUDE DOUG SANDERS, PHIL RODGERS, DAVE MARR, BOBBY NICHOLS, GAY BREWER AND BERT YANCEY.

FORMER OPEN WINNERS, PETER THOMSON, KEL NAGLE AND GARY PLAYER ARE ALSO IN THE FIELD.

PRIZE MONEY FOR THE TOURNAMENT TOTALS 15-THOUSAND POUNDS WITH 2-THOUSAND 100 POUNDS FOR THE WINNER.

THE ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB SAYS THAT BECAUSE OF RECENT CHANGES, THE COURSE IS MUCH MORE TESTING THAT IT WAS IN 1956, THE LAST TIME THE OPEN WAS PLAYED THERE.

THE COURSE NOW MEASURES A TOTAL OF 6995 YARDS (ABOUT 6,400 METRES) WITH A PAR OF 72.

THE TOURNAMENT WILL COVER FOUR DAYS, WITH 18 HOLES BEING PLAYED EACH DAY.