Only two of the world's current top 50 players will be missing when the British Open takes place at Royal Birkdale on July 16th-19th. The two are twice winner Greg Norman, still recovering from shoulder surgery, and Japan's Masashi `Jumbo' Ozaki, who has not played in the event since 1995.
Ten other former champions will be trying to take the famous trophy from American Justin Leonard - Tom Lehman, John Daly, Nick Price, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Mark Calcavecchia, Sandy Lyle, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
Nicklaus, sixth at the Masters in April at the age of 58, said at the US Open on Sunday that he will definitely be going to Birkdale, but could withdraw if his hip problem plays up.
The total entry is a record 2,336 players and because of that a 16th course, Ormskirk, has been added to the 18-hole regional qualifying competition on July 6th.
Those successful at that stage go through to the 36-hole final qualifying at courses in the Southport area on July 12th-13th.
Leonard will be attempting to become the first player since Tom Watson in 1983 to make a successful defence. Watson did it at Troon and then Birkdale.
