WILTSHIRE amateur Ben Stow faces an early alarm call to tee off his bid at the 142nd Open Championship later this week - and he couldn't be happier about it.

Stow, from East Knoyle just south of Warminster, was drawn in the second three-ball out when golf's third major championship of the year gets under way at Muirfield in Scotland on Thursday morning.

The 22-year-old, who booked a dream place at the championship by winning a local final qualifying event in Scotland earlier this month, gets his challenge started at 6.43am.

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.

It's a draw that has left the Wiltshire man delighted as he looks to make a real impact alongside the game's biggest names.

"I'm really happy about it,'' he told the Wiltshire Times. "I said to my coach and caddie that I wanted a really early start and that's what I've got so I'm really pleased.

"Normally at that time there is not too much wind about on a links course. You get the best of the conditions and the greens are in good shape because they haven't had lots of people through on them.

"It's nice to be in a group with two well-known players (Hamilton and Karlsson) too so I'm really looking forward to it.

"We've also got a good start time (11.44am) on Friday.''

Stow's dream week began in style today as he played nine holes of practice with six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo, who won two of his three Open titles at Muirfield.

He will play another nine holes alongside former world number one Luke Donald tomorrow (Tuesday) and added: "It was a fantastic chance to do that and the atmosphere has been really relaxed so far.

"The players have been quite friendly towards me and they are happy that an amateur is in there competing alongside them.'

"I played really lovely and it was just about getting in the zone after arriving really.

"Muirfield is fantastic, probably one of my favourite links courses and it was about getting some feel around the greens and practicing some chipping and putting.

Stow, who flew to Newcastle before arriving with girlfriend Maddi by car at Muirfield on Sunday, added: "I'll have a leisurely morning tomorrow and then nine holes with Luke Donald, something to eat and then perhaps another nine holes later in the day.

"There are two practice days to go sand I just want to get as much experience as I can.''

MORE FROM STOW AT MUIRFIELD TOMORROW AND KEEP TRACK OF HIS PROGRESS AT THE OPEN AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES