HookedonGolf.com

Event: 136th British Open golf championship

Dates: July 19-22

Site: Carnoustie

The course: Carnoustie opened in 1842 with 10 holes laid out by Allan Robertson. Old Tom Morris expanded it to 18 holes in 1867. It has hosted only six British Opens. The final four holes measure 1,680 and require 15 shots for par.

Length: 7,421 yards

Par: 36-35-71

Playoff format: Four holes, stroke play

Purse: $8.46 million (4.2 million pounds)

Winner's share: $1.51 million (750,000 pounds)

Defending champion: Tiger Woods

Last year: Woods used driver only one time in four rounds, relying instead on long irons because of the brown, crispy conditions at Royal Liverpool. He holed out from 209 yards on the 14th hole in the second round to match his career-best 65 in a major and take the lead, then closed with a 67 to finish at 18-under 270 for a two-shot victory over Chris DiMarco. He became the first player since Tom Watson in 1982-83 to win the British Open in consecutive years.

Last time at Carnoustie: In a carnival finish that led to one of the greatest collapses in golf, Jean Van de Velde blew a three-shot lead on the last hole by making triple bogey to fall into a three-way playoff with Paul Lawrie and Justin Leonard. Lawrie unwittingly staged the greatest comeback in major championship history (10 shots) by closing with a 67.

Open champions at Carnoustie: Tommy Armour (1931), Henry Cotton (1937), Ben Hogan (1953), Gary Player (1968), Tom Watson (1975), Paul Lawrie (1999).

Noteworthy: An American victory would be the fifth in a row, matching the longest streak in history (1926-30).

Quoteworthy: ``That's probably the toughest major I've ever played, including Bethpage and including Winged Foot and Oakmont.'' - Ernie Els on the '99 British Open at Carnoustie.

Television (all times EDT): Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., TNT Sports. Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., TNT Sports; 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., ABC Sports. Sunday, 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., TNT Sports; 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., ABC Sports.