The Open Championship returns to Royal Troon for the first time in 12 years for the 145th edition of the world’s oldest golf major.

The links course in Ayrshire, Scotland has thrown up legendary Open champions over the years, including Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, but also some surprise victors such as American Todd Hamilton in 2004.

This year’s should be another wide-open affair, with a healthy Australian contingent spearheaded by world No.1 Jason Day expected to make its presence felt.

Day and world No.8 Adam Scott resume their pursuit of second major titles, while Marc Leishman will look to go one better after missing out in a playoff at St Andrews last year.

The nation’s big guns are joined by qualifiers including Nick Cullen and Rod Pampling while Nathan Holman makes his major debut after winning the 2015 Australian PGA.

World No.2 Dustin Johnson looms has Day’s biggest threat to claiming the Claret Jug, with the American finally breaking his major duck at last month’s US Open.

Defending champion Jordan Spieth, world No.4 Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia are among many other leading hopes.

Set upon Scotland’s rugged western coastline, Royal Troon is renowned for its deep rough and unforgiving winds, presenting one of the toughest challenges in golf.

The 2016 Open Championship is held from July 14-17.