The Open 2010: Final preparations at St Andrews

The 139th Open Championship takes place this weekend, but rather predictably the east coast of Scotland is being battered by miserable weather, with rain and high winds buffeting the Old Course. Not much fun for the competitors or fans as the final practice rounds get underway Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Still, a handful of hardy players made their way out on to the course, as the scoreboard operators prepared for a busy weekend Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Darren Clarke – joint second at The Open in 1997, the best Major result of his career – jokes with Jim Furyk on the practice green Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Marc Leishmann and Jeff Overton trudge down the second fairway with the wind at their backs Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Kim Kyung-tae of South Korea chips a shot on the 18th fairway, spurred on by the prospect of lunch in the warm clubhouse Photograph: Tom Jenkins

He heads over the Swilken Bridge with American Kevin Na to retrieve his ball Photograph: Tom Jenkins

... before slotting his putt on the 18th green Photograph: Tom Jenkins

These guys have found a nice little hideaway Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Tom Watson, the five-times Open champion, walks in front of the old clubhouse with a grin on his face. The 60-year-old was the hero of last year's Open, having led the field into the final day before eventually being beaten in a four-hole play-off by Stewart Cink Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Two lots of waterproofs and still this guy looks soaked to the skin Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Many of the spectators had come today to see the Champions Challenge – a charity event featuring the likes of Arnold Palmer and Gary Player which was intended to mark the 150th anniversary of the Open. But the inclement weather meant the four-hole match was cancelled Photograph: Tom Jenkins