Embarking on my first British Open, I was of the understanding the weather would be wet and windy and the scoring tough but my week thus far has been spent in shorts and t-shirts at a surprisingly benign Turnberry.

As nice as it is for a roving reporter to be out in the warm sunshine, fielding questions to the world’s best golfers on one of Britain’s finest courses, it would be interesting to see the usual wind and rain to see how good these guys really are.

When Irishman Padraig Harrington retained the Claret Jug at Birkdale last year he did so after enduring a fierce battle with the elements as well as a strong field.

His ability to shoot a four-under-par 32 on the back nine whilst battling wind that was gusting above 50mph was golf of the highest order and a joy to watch, albeit on a television in the Reuters office.

This year I was expecting the same conditions but as it stands, with sunny weather, the Ailsa course’s generous fairways and flat greens could become a birdie fest which we have grown accustomed to on the PGA Tour.

The uniqueness of the Open is that it is an event which is like no other, played on a seaside links with hard and fast fairways and blustery conditions which give spectators a chance to see how skilful the best players have to be.

Right now it will be simple for the players to take aim at the pins and shoot low scores and while pros may enjoy the easy ride, many fans would like to see them tested.

Let’s see if mother nature does her stuff and we witness a typically brutal Open championship here in Scotland — and I will dig out the waterproofs.

PHOTO: Greg Norman (R) of Australia walks with his son on the fairway of the sixth hole during a practice round ahead of the British Open Golf Championship at Turnberry, July 15, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake