Twenty-two British Open champions, led by 88-year-old Sam Snead, have confirmed their participation in next Wednesday's special four-hole event at St Andrews. All but six - Snead, Peter Thomson, Roberto de Vicenzo, Tony Jacklin, Tom Weiskopf and Ian Baker-Finch - are also competing in the Open itself.
The Past Champions Challenge will be played in threes or fours, with the winning team earning £40,000 for charity. In addition, each participant will be given the Freedom of the Links.
The only champions missing are Arnold Palmer, the injured Greg Norman, Johnny Miller, Kel Nagle and Max Faulkner.
The four-hole event starts at 4.30 p.m. The players are Snead, Peter Thomson, Gary Player, Bob Charles, Jack Nicklaus, Roberto de Vicenzo, Tony Jacklin, Lee Trevino, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, Bill Rogers, Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo, Mark Calcavecchia, Ian Baker-Finch, Nick Price, John Daly, Tom Lehman, Justin Leonard, Mark O'Meara and Paul Lawrie.
Meanwhile, the winner of the Open will receive £500,000 - an increase of £150,000 on the cheque Paul Lawrie received at Carnoustie last year. This latest increase is included in the record purse of £2.75 million and keeps the championship in line with the other three majors.
