BEN Stow admits keeping the ball away from Muirfield's fearsome rough will be the key to a good performance in the 142nd Open Championship this week.

Stow, from East Knoyle south of Warminster, enjoyed another 18 holes of practice at the Scottish links yesterday, including an opening nine holes in the company of former world number one Luke Donald.

The 21 year old was planning another nine-hole stint this morning, his last before he tees off in the second group out on the first day's play in the third major championship of the year on Thursday (6.43am).

Stow, who was hoping to practice alongside two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington today, having also teed off with six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo on Monday, and is in a positive frame of mind about his game heading into the biggest tournament of his career to date.

"I feel like I'm getting to grips with the course and I'm learning where you need to hit it, he told the Wiltshire Times.

"I know where you need to put the ball and I'm learning the places around the greens where I'm going to need to chip and putt.

"There is a premium the course puts on hitting fairways. There will be a lot of hitting long irons off the tees and I'm feeling comfortable with that. My short game is good and I'm putting lovely so I'm feeling good.''

He added: "You need to keep the ball in play and if I can hit 10 or 11 fairways in a round, then I should be in good shape.''

The University of Kentucky student will have some heavyweight company for the first two rounds, with 2004 Open champion Todd Hamilton, from the United States, and European Ryder Cup star Robert Karlsson, of Sweden, making up the group.

MORE FROM STOW AS HE PREPARES TO TEE OFF HIS OPEN BID AND FOLLOW HIS PROGRESS AT MUIRFIELD THIS WEEK AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT TOMORROW AND IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES