The world's top golfers are currently battling it out at this year's Open championship thanks to a team of turf experts.

While Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and other golfing stars look to top the leaderboard at the Royal Liverpool course, agronomists from Bingley's Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) will have their eyes firmly focused on its tees, fairways and greens.

A dedicated STRI team has worked with links course manager Craig Gilholm to ensure the Hoylake course remains in tip-top condition throughout the 139th Open Championship.

The STRI, based at the St Ives estate, advises the Royal & Ancient Championship Comm-ittee which has organised the Open since 1987. Agronomists use sophisticated research tools and techniques to ensure turf is ready for world-class golf.

STRI's turf-grass agronomist for Northern England, Stuart Orm-ondroyd, has been influential in ensuring the Royal Liverpool course is at its best as the golfers compete for the Claret Jug.

He said there had been changes to the course since the Open was last held there in 1967 when Roberto di Vicenzo won with a final score of 278.

"It is interesting to note that the course measured 6,995 yards the last time it held the Open," said Mr Ormondroyd. "Changes have been made and the new length of 7,258 yards incorporates green and tee upgrades. All bunkers have been rebuilt over the past two winters and there are new greens at the 1st, 2nd and 5th.

"Our main aim is to work with the site to produce firm, true and well-paced surfaces for the event and throughout the year.

"There is no doubt the course will test the very finest of golfers come rain, wind or shine."

STRI spokesman Anne Wilson said agronomists had been on site for eight days prior to the event and would be available throughout the championship to provide advice. She said the recent hot and dry conditions would have an effect on the course but would be countered by sophisticated watering and irrigation systems.

"The grass will react to the conditions it is a natural living thing," she said. "But the greenkeepers have irrigation and drainage systems which will water the grass. Our agronomists will be walking the course every morning before play and again after play is finished in the evening. There will be problems which become hazards for the golfers but that is part of playing a links course which by its nature is testing. However, if the hot and dry conditions persist the Americans and South Africans may stand a better chance."

She said torrential rain which delayed the start of the championship yesterday would have little effect on its playing condition.

"A links course by its nature has a high sand content which should allow the rainwater to drain away quickly," she said.

e-mail: dan.webber @bradford.newsquest.co.uk