JAMIE Donaldson is never short of words but he uttered only one to describe his feeling about playing in his first Open Championship.

"Awesome," said the 31-year-old European Tour professional from Macclesfield.

"It has made up for a terrible season so far although I've started to play better in my last two tournaments.

"That's put me in the right frame of mind for Royal Liverpool and I'm already feeling confident about making the cut."

Donaldson refused to blame a recurring back problem on his dip in form.

Aware

"It would be too easy to do that. I've learned to adapt and live with it, although I'm always aware it could flare up at any time. I just hope I'll be OK this week," he added.

His condition was so bad in 2004 that he missed more than half of the campaign and only played last season on a medical extension.

Eighth place in the inaugural BMW Championship at Wentworth ensured he kept his card but he's in serious danger of losing it this time unless he shapes up.

"I'm not dwelling on that prospect just yet because there's a long way to go," he said.

"My game is coming back but I was disappointed to not put in a better finish in the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on Sunday.

"I was in contention for three rounds but then threw in a 76 and finished 39th. I tried too hard and did not putt well.

"I know this course well because I played it about 20 times when I was an amateur with Cheshire.

New lay-out

"It's a great course and I'm looking forward to the new lay-out. If the weather stays like this someone will rip it up but this is the Open and I don't think generally that the scoring will be too low."

Donaldson has gone back to his old coach Alan Thompson at nearby Heswall after a spell with Damien Taylor, son of snooker player Dennis.

"We've been working on simple stuff and it seems to have helped."

Donaldson earned his place at Hoylake via International qualifying at Sunningdale along with Formby's Lee Slattery.

NICK Dougherty has pulled out a plum draw in the first two rounds.

The 24-year-old Shaw Hill star will tee up on Thursday at 1.09 pm with New Zealand's Michael Campbell, the 2005 US Open champion, and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Donaldson is out at 12.36 with Aussie Richard Green and American JJ Henry. Surprise qualifier Jim Payne, club pro at Southport and Ainsdale, is grouped with the lesser known Tom Pernice, from the United States, and South African Warren Abery at 10.15am.

And two groups later, Formby's Lee Slattery links up with Indian hope Shiv Kapur and Vaughn Taylor of the United States.

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