He only has modest hopes, but Greg Chalmers is certainly out to savour his St Andrews experience nonetheless.

The two-time Australian Open champion has played the Dunhills Links layout twice, but never the Old Course at the spiritual home of golf.

“It’s fantastic. I’ve only played one British Open before and so I’m in my second British Open, 41 years of age,” Chalmers said ahead of Thursday’s start to the year’s third major.

“I’m very excited to play here at St Andrews, just even playing eight holes today, seeing all the stands and everything set up.

“I’ve got a lot of family and friends in town, so I’m screaming around for tickets everywhere I can.

“Yeah, it’s gonna be good.”

Chalmers’ only other Open start ended in a tie for 45th at Royal Lytham three years ago and, after being out of sorts of late, the left-hander is only hoping he can survive the cut once again.

“Look, I haven’t played that well lately so I’ve got just expectations of getting to the weekend and see how the week evolves,” Chalmers said.

“I haven’t got any lofty expectations at the moment. I’m just keeping it low key and keeping my game in shape and getting ready.”

Chalmers only arrived in Scotland on Monday after catching the same chartered flight across the Atlantic with Open favourite and world No.2 Jordan Spieth.

The pair contested the John Deere Classic, with Spieth’s playoff victory earning the 21-year-old his fourth win of the year.

Chalmers admitted he was surprised by the state of the Old Course and needed time to transition.

“It’s a little more lush than I thought,” he said.

“The footage I’d seen was a lot drier and bouncier than what it is right now, which makes some of the putting and running shots more difficult.

“It’s a little bit of an adjustment. It’s not something I’m used to, have done a lot of it recently.

“Last week, we played in mushy conditions in John Deere so it’s taken time to get used to that.”