Harrington does his homework

Padraig Harrington's first port of call on his arrival at Turnberry was a driving range session with coach Bob Torrance. The Dubliner, fresh from his sixth Irish PGA win on Saturday, was seen hard at work on his takeaway with the venerable Scottish coach.

Harrington and Bob Torrance on the range at TurnberryHarrington is bidding to become the first player since Peter Thomson in 1954-56 to win the Open three years in succession. Yet he confessed before leaving Ireland that his preparations have not been ideal as he fights to forget his swing thoughts and let his game flow freely.

The media centre at the Open is as good as ever this year but the view from the patio at the back of the restaurant is simply stunning. 

View from the coffee spot - Ailsa Craig

Going out there for my first espresso of the week I looked up to see Ailsa Craig shimmering beyond the first fairway, where Nick Faldo was going through his paces in a practice round. Faldo - Sir Nick to his friends - will tee it up in the first two rounds with Soren Kjeldsen and Brian Gay. 

Padraig Harrington drew Geoff Ogilvy and Jim Furyk while Paul McGinley has been paired with John Daly and Carl Pettersen. Rory McIlroy is with Anthony Kim for the second major in a row and South African Retief Goosen while Graeme McDowell has three time major winner Vijay Singh and Bubba Watson. 

David Higgins drew Jeremy Kavanagh and Daniel Gaunt with Damien McGrane set go out with Matt Kuchar and Tm Stewart. Darren Clarke is joined by Azuma Yano and Luke Donald.