Sara wants to know: "How long does it take to organise an event such as The Open?"

Phil and Alison said:

The Planning period is at least 6 months before but for the immediate lead up to the event we have the Unisys team there 3 weeks before the actual golf tournament.

Karen wants to know: "When visiting a tournament like The Open is it best to follow a player round the full 18 holes or park yourself on 1 hole and see how they all play it? How can you get the most out of the day? "

Phil and Alison said:

Phil said: Well I've been to every single open golf championship since 1974. The vast majority of them as a spectator so Karen I think I'm well qualified to give advice here.

The way you spectate depends on the day your going to attend the tournament. If it is the Sunday and therefore the final round I'd very much recommend that you take your seat in the public Grand Stand at the 18th. There you will see all of the leading contenders finish there rounds because of the scoring system provided by Unisys you can keep right up to date with what's happening and the atmosphere cannot be bettered.

Simon wants to know: "Phil Great job as a Snooker pundit, didn't know you were a Golf nut as well, sensible lad I say. Phil do you think Tiger with his current abysmal standard of play: 50% of fairways hit 70% of greens in regulation will ever regain the 2000 form he had to eventually overtake Jack's 18 major mark? I personally believe Tiger will and he will end his career with 24 majors.

Phil and Alison said:

Thanks for the compliment! I love snooker! And I love golf as well so in that respect I hit the jackpot! With regard to Tiger I believe he is using anew graphite shafted driver and is feeling a lot more confident about actually putting the ball on the fairway. As you know accuracy plus Tiger equals trophies.

James wants to know: "Is there any new technology being employed at this year's tournament?"

Phil and Alison said:

Wireless technology to support the scoring system is in place this year and satellite feed to support the internet in near real time scoring will be used for the first time.

Ian wants to know: "Who would your money be on this week if you were a betting man?"

Phil and Alison said:

Ian, I am a betting man and I am going to spread my money between Retief Goosen and Phil Mickelson. Goosen has got confidence in abundance; Mickelson has a determination that he has never had before.

Kane wants to know: "Is it a good course for spectators or would I be better watching it at home?"

Phil and Alison said:

Links courses provide natural vantage points. And certain holes at Troon are stunning. For me there's nothing like actually being there. But the televised golf these days is so well produced that it's an excellent substitute.

Lee wants to know: "How do golf commentators on TV seem to know so much about every hole that's played and every golfer that's playing them? Are they just seasoned professionals or are they given that information by someone?"

Phil and Alison said:

Many golf commentators are seasoned professionals and have a vast knowledge of the game. However Unisys through there comprehensive scoring and information system make our job easy. The stuff they provide is at times mind-boggling.

Nadine wants to know: "Does the weather usually hold out for the tournament? Hopefully it's not like this years Wimbledon!"

Phil and Alison said:

Last year we had a great year at Sandwich. The weather was fabulous the whole time, what that means for the Unisys team is that the event runs very smoothly. Troon is more of a challenge as the weather there has historically been changeable and that just makes it more testing for all of us.

Me wants to know: "Phil and Alison. The technology you use, will it help Tiger to recapture his swing and accuracy? Do you take snapshots of his action and make comparisons to his previous high levels of achievements"

Phil and Alison said:

The BBC has a special camera that provides analysis of a golfers swing, but it is doubtful, highly doubtful! In fact if Tiger will be rushing down to the TV compound anytime soon. Don't worry about Mr Woods, he will be back with interest.

Seb wants to know: "Have you ever played Royal Troon?"

Phil and Alison said:

I've never had the pleasure of playing Royal Troon. But I have just returned from a 26 day golf vacation in the USA and when people discover that you are from the UK all they want to talk about is the Open and courses such as Troon & the like.

Frankie wants to know: "What's the key to shooting a low score at Royal Troon?"

Phil and Alison said:

It's vitally important to get off to a good start. The first few holes provide birdie opportunities. The back 9 though is appreciably tougher and has to be treated with kid gloves.

Tiger wants to know: "What are the major changes in scoring technology since The Open at Sandwich last year?"

Phil and Alison said:

I think I answered that earlier with satellite question.

Frankie wants to know: "Is golf still an elitist sport in this country?"

Phil and Alison said:

I personally do not think that Golf is elitist. If it can be described as such it is certainly far less elite. However it does get my goat that certain clubs have ridiculous rules about dress and the like. Lighten up!

Aimee wants to know: "Hi Phil, where did you start out before you became a presenter? And how did you get where you are now?"

Phil and Alison said:

I started in sports journalism in 1988 writing about local snooker leagues. Things progressed rapidly and I began to commentate for Sky in 1992. I have been working in Golf- My lifelong passion- for 6 years and I still enjoy every moment of it.

Me wants to know: "I'm going to be at Troon to watch the action. Can I visit the Unisys tent and talk to the experts and see the technology?"

Phil and Alison said:

Well I wont be giving you my mobile number but... Unisys doesn't have a tent that you can visit. However, you will see lots of Unisys staff at the event and you are very welcome to ask them to contact me and I will arrange for you to see the technology in action.

Richard wants to know: "What's the worst thing you have ever seen at a golf tournament?"

Phil and Alison said:

The streaker on the 18th hole just after John Daly won the Open in 1995. He was male! Just my luck I left with an inferiority complex!

Frankie wants to know: "'Drive for show, putt for dough' - do you agree with this phrase?"

Phil and Alison said:

To a large extent yes! You can, as Tiger has proved win tournaments despite missing a large number of fairways. However, how many times do you see a golfer lift a trophy after putting poorly? Hardly ever!

Tom wants to know: "How many hole in ones have been recorded at the Open?"

Phil and Alison said:

17 have been recorded since 1980.

Paul wants to know: "Who do you think will win The Open Championship this year?"

Phil and Alison said:

That is the ££££700.000 question! If I knew for certain I would be at my local bookmakers. But I think it will be a big star, unlike last year and my tip would be Retief Goosen.

Felix wants to know: "I'm left handed - does that make me a better swinger?"

Phil and Alison said:

Are we talking about golf? Seriously for some reason left-handed sportsman have a certain elegance. Some examples David Gower (Cricket), Mark Williams (Snooker) and of course that south paw supreme Phil Mickelson.

Jem wants to know: "Do you think Justin Rose can regain the form of a season ago?"

Phil and Alison said:

I personally believe he can! He has finished in the top ten in three events on the ultra competitive US tour this year, which bodes well. Mind you, he will not be at the open unless he produces something spectacular at Loch Lomond this week.

Babs wants to know: "Was Annika Sorenstam's appearance on the men's tour a one off or do you think this is the future of golf?"

Phil and Alison said:

First of all wasn't it fantastic? Annika has already insisted she will not play on the men's tour again. But 14 year old Michelle Wie is such a prodigy that she might well bridge golf's gender gap.

Me wants to know: "What kind of network do you use to cover the action? Is it an MS based solution or a Unisys devised system? Is there an integration with the BBC coverage? "

Phil and Alison said:

Do you want a job with us? So the answer is yes the system runs on a network of servers and workstations running MS and comprises both wireless and Eternet.

Jimmyin NZ wants to know: "A game, huge payouts, hitting a ball to a hole in the ground. Is this the 21st century's equivalent of the Coliseum games of the 2nd century? Cheers. "

Phil and Alison said:

Alison says "Hi bro!" Phil says You might be on to something there. If the wind blows at Troon the players will certainly feel as though they've been thrown to the lions.

Babs wants to know: "Will there be other entertainment for my family. So that I make my way around the course? "

Phil and Alison said:

Hi Babs, yes there will be lots for the family to do over the four days. There will be a huge exhibition tent and as long as the weather is fine loads of places to eat and relax while watching the game on the big screen. There will also be golf-orientated events for the younger ones. Go to www.opengolf.com for more details.

Imogen wants to know: "Which championship course do you think is the best in the British Isles?"

Phil and Alison said:

My personal favourite is Turnberry, sadly not on the Open rota at the moment. St Andrews is a wonderful venue for the Open but so too is Troon. Finally we must not forget Hoylake. The Open will be there in a couple of year's time. For the first time since 1967.

Tim wants to know: "What is the hardest hole at Royal Troon?"

Phil and Alison said:

Alison says 10 but Phil reckons 11.

Jake wants to know: "Coverage of golf on television is getting better and better but what is it like to actually be at an event like the Open?"

Phil and Alison said:

With over 200 thousand attending each year, the experience of actually being there is something that so many people obviously enjoy. Phil says I can honestly say that I still become emotional when the leaders are walking up the 18th fairway on Sunday. There's nothing like it!

Priya wants to know: "Do you think the technology used in golf today has made the game too easy?"

Phil and Alison said:

Certainly the technology employed by Unisys has made golf commentary and journalism easier. But with regards to the advancement in clubs and balls I would say not. Average scores might have come down over the years but if everyone's playing to high standard no one has got an advantage.

The Cad wants to know: "How much influence do caddies have in the modern game?"

Phil and Alison said:

The men who carry the bag do much more than that. They are a one-man support unit who need not only to supply yardages but also must be well schooled in sports Psychology. I speak from experience. It is a skilled job.

Penny wants to know: "How often do you play golf?"

Phil and Alison said:

I am a self confessed golf lunatic. On my recent vacation in the States I played 23 rounds in 26 days. Yes, I am single! Alison says: I never play golf, I don't like taking my work home!

The Cad wants to know: "How about putting a camera in the ball or in the flag like they do with the stump camera in cricket?"

Phil and Alison said:

Yes that's a great idea, I guess the only problem is who to choose gets the ball with the camera, as there are 156 players when the tournament starts. Can you imagine the chaos? Phil says: You would have to find a very durable camera to survive the ferocious impact of a John Daly drive!

Steve wants to know: "Why is the Postage Stamp such a difficult hole?"

Phil and Alison said:

The postage stamp rarely delivers birdies. But it is a first class test even though it measures only 126 yards and is the shortest hole on the Open championship rota. Why the difficulty? It is heavily bunkered with a tiny green and in a cross wind it can be harder to find than an Eskimo in the Sahara.