Interview: Golf legend Tony Jacklin

He fears it will damage the event's standing.

He said: "It'll be a miracle to finish it on the Sunday with the weather they are likely to have. It was tight enough playing in September but going to Wales in October, when there will be fog and inclement weather, is crazy.

"There's a fair chance of a Monday finish and for an event of that stature, with hundreds of millions watching worldwide, it's a daft risk to take. They should have had it earlier in the season and made it into a four day event. But instead they have jeopardised it."

Jacklin feels Europe, captained by Colin Montgomerie, may lack the pedigree to reclaim the trophy they lost in 2008.

He said: "Europe do lack Major winners. We've got Padraig Harrington, who has won three, while others who have been there or there abouts but nothing like the Americans have.

"I worry about the lack of experience because at the end of the day, team spirit only goes so far. It will be interesting to see what happens."

One player the Americans may not have to call on is Tiger Woods. The world number one is yet to return to competitive golf after his much-publicised marital problems. Jacklin had some advice for him, passed on from another legend.

He said: "It's going to be very difficult for him, if he comes back at all. He needs to heed the advice of Tom Watson, which was to have more humility and better temper on the course. That's the only way he'll get the pubic to hold him in the same regard as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan."

Jacklin, 65, now lives in Florida, but will be back on home soil in June for The Open at St Andrews, where he will be an official hospitality ambassador.

He won the tournament in 1969, but it's been 11 years since Paul Lawrie became the last Briton to lift the Claret Jug. Jacklin fears homegrown players will miss out again this year.

He said: "There's a lot more pressure on British players now. It's what's inside their heads that counts and I'm not sure what goals many of them have set themselves.

"There's an awful lot of money to be made in golf now and winning Majors is not so important as it used to be. A lot of players fall away early because they've made their money and the ambition fades.

"But I can tell you it's not a bad feeling walking up that 18th fairway in the lead on the last round. Not many of us get the chance very often and it's very satisfying when it happens."

Last year's Open produced saw Tom Watson almost snatch an unlikely win at the age of 59.

Jacklin said: "Tom Watson at The Open last year was, in my view, the greatest performance in the history of our game. To be almost 60 years old and to lead with all the media glare on him was amazing.

"I was hugely impressed, but I haven't been inspired to make a comeback."

This year sees the 150th anniversary of the first staging of The Open, and fittingly the tournament will be at the home of golf, St Andrews. For Jacklin there's no better place to play.

He said: "St Andrews is unique, with its 18th hole in the middle of the town.

"I never won there but the memories do come flooding back, particularly when I was there in 2000 for a four hole for former champions.

"I was chaperoning the great Sam Snead, who hadn't been back since he won in 1946. It was a tremendous privilege to play with him that day."

Unlike other tournaments, Jacklin believes playing The Open on links courses is a great leveller.

He said: "The great thing about The Open is it is exactly what it says it is, open. It could be won by anybody.

"The early rounds are more interesting because you never know what's going to happen, especially with the volatility of the weather.

"Many championships are won or lost by drawing the right tee time, especially on the first day and especially on a links course open to the sea.

"I defended my title at St Andrews in 1970 and had a benign afternoon tee time for my first round. I was out in 29 but on the back nine I got to the 14th and it was underwater after some heavy rain.

"Play was abandoned for the day and I had to resume at 7.30 the next morning. Well, I just couldn't get going, the weather wasn't great and I carded a 67 when I'd been on course for a 63 or 64.

"It's a prime example of how the weather can affect things. But there's something very, very special about The Open."

Tony Jacklin is an Official Hospitality ambassador for The Open Championship at St Andrews from July 15-18. For details visit www.opengolfofficialhospitality.com.