It is the 38th time the championships will be held in Ayrshire and the 10th time the Old Course at Royal Troon has been the choice of venue to decide the winner of the Claret Jug.

Excitement is building in the town as stars from across the game of golf move in for the week.Former Open champions Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Pádraig Harrington are all expected to feature while Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre are all seeking to lift the trophy for the first time.Preparations for the tournament have been underway for a number of weeks and they've been hard to miss with Open Championship branding popping up across the area while signs directing spectators to their destination have become a familiar sight for those traveling regularly on the region's trunk roads.Hospitality businesses across the town are all set for what will be their busiest weekend of the year as the great and the good of the golfing world descend on Troon.Golf enthusiasts from all over the world have already arrived and many more will be checking in as they get set to witness the four days of competition which begins on Thursday, July 18, and culminates on Sunday, July 21 with the crowning of the 152nd Open champion.The influx of visitors will be a welcome boost to the local economy with businesses hoping for a bumper weekend.Rain is forecast over the next few days and could have an effect on play but it isn’t expected to put a dampener on things as Troon showcases itself to the world.This weekend will be an opportunity for someone to add their name alongside legends such as

Open returns to Troon as town gears up for golf's greatest competition

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