Kenny Dalglish: I started out with a club, a few balls and a soup can
Then my team-mates got some help from Hans Christian Andersen
I’VE enjoyed golf from as far back as I can remember.
When I was a kid playing down the park with my pals, we’d try and get a golf club and a few balls from somewhere.
Then we’d plant an empty can of Heinz tomato soup into the ground and use that as our hole.
Ah, the improvisation. Happy, happy memories.
I then progressed to playing golf courses when I was in my teens and thoroughly enjoyed it.
When I became a professional footballer, there were always games of golf. We’d have outings for the entire dressing room, or a handful of us would play somewhere on our day off. Some of the boys were particularly good, especially my Liverpool teammates Alan Hansen and Gary Gillespie.
Alan Shearer has also seemed a decent golfer any time our paths have crossed.
Now, I don’t want to name names, but some of the lads also lacked integrity when it came to revealing their golf handicap.
Some could have given Hans Christian Andersen a run for his money when it came to the fairytales they came up with!
Me? I was always honest! Today I play off seven.
I’ve been fortunate enough to play on some stunning courses, and the Open venue, Royal Birkdale, is one of them.
It’s right on my doorstep in Southport and I will be there this week to take in the action.
It truly is a fantastic venue, and the amount of effort and planning that has gone into this event has been remarkable.
The R&A and all of their support staff and network deserve enormous credit. I just hope they get half-decent weather over the four days.
In terms of the competition itself, I’m sure we’re in for a treat.
Last year’s tournament at Royal Troon was memorable for all the right reasons, and we will never forget the classic duel between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson.
Stenson, of course, won it. Can he do it again? Yes, he can.
However, I’d love to see one of the British lads triumph next Sunday.
Tommy Fleetwood is in really good form and the local crowd will be right behind him. His game really has gone up a notch or two so he has to be a contender.
Justin Rose will also have great backing.
Everyone who was at Royal Birkdale in 1998 remembers his chip in at the 18th hole on the final day to clinch fourth place when he was just a 17-year-old amateur.
Ian Poulter had to qualify for this year’s event, and he will be well supported as he has a wonderful personality on and off the course.
Outside of Britain, young Spaniard Jon Rahm has just won the Irish Open, and has developed into a serious contender at all events, so he’ll be one to watch, too.
I wish them all well, and may the best man win.