For the last two years I’ve managed to make it to the Open Championship for the first two days.

If I had my choice, that’s exactly where I would be now, but sadly it’s not been possible this year.

The four days of the Open are real favourites on my calendar, although I have probably had far more bets than I should have done!

It’s one of those events, though, where there are so many potential fancies and players who could go well on the Old Course at St Andrews.

Then there are the form players, who you just cannot dismiss!

Just for the win, my money has gone on Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Martin Kaymer.

Fowler was brilliant last week in the Scottish Open, while everyone tells me there is no significant rough at St Andrews which will really help the big hitters – the ‘bombers’ – like Dustin Johnson.

Martin Kaymer has got such a fantastic record around the Old Course that I just couldn’t leave him out.

The other player I have backed is Luke Donald, who finished seventh in the Scottish Open in really tough conditions.

I am told by Jamie Redknapp, who is a good friend of his, that Luke is hitting the ball better than he has for ages, so I’ve gone for an each-way bet on Donald, and also for him to finish the top Englishman.

The whole atmosphere at the Open, the appreciation of great golf and the way the wind – which can fire up in any British summer – brings an element of lottery all adds to the intrigue of the tournament, because you do need some little bits of luck along the way to be able to pick up the Claret Jug.

The second Ashes Test is taking place at Lord’s.

When Australia are not snarling and picking a fight, they are not their competitive selves, and they pretty much capitulated against a totally committed England at Cardiff to lose the first Test.

The tourists are still 11/8 favourites to win in London, but I can’t see anyone who wants a bet not siding with a confident England at 7/4.

Pre-season is now well under way for Skybet League and Premier League clubs and, while it seems odd to be talking about football at this stage of the summer, the season will be upon us very quickly because our domestic season has been brought forward to August 8 because of the European Championship finals next summer.

I’ll leave my football predictions for another column!