CARNOUSTIE, Scotland - Steve Alker has been soaking up the atmosphere at the British Open venue at Carnoustie, despite heavy rain marring his first official practice session for the golf major today.
Heavy early morning rain drenched the Scottish course while a thick mist also enveloped the layoutin weather more akin to winter than the middle of a British summer.
Alker had his first look at the course a day earlier when he joined Australian and fellow qualifier Matthew Zions in glorious sunshine to play a casual practice round.
"I got a good feel of the course on Sunday.
"The good aspect is that Carnoustie is very similar to Panmure," Alker said of the links layout where he qualified for his second Open last week.
Fortunately for Alker the weather cleared mid-afternoon and after some range practice he was able to play nine holes of the course ahead of a full 18 holes he has arranged on Tuesday in the company of Michael Campbell, the only other New Zealander in the field.
Alker has been grouped with American Nick Watney and South African Desvonde Botes for the first two rounds.
He tees off on Thursday afternoon (local time).
"There is certainly going to be a huge gap time-wise between my practice round on Wednesday and then tee-off so it's important I manage that time properly," Alker said.
"I'll watch some of the early TV coverage just to see what is happening with the wind and so.
Campbell will be out earlier with Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke and American Chris DiMarco.
