THERE is an absence of North-East golfers preparing for the 147th Open Championship this week, yet there is one man from the region who will be making his second appearance on a working level.

While the likes of Graeme Storm, Rob Dinwiddie and Chris Paisley will not be trying to tame the tough Carnoustie links for one reason or another, a focused and respected coach will be one of a select number of PGA pros representing a, 8,000-strong membership in Scotland,.

Ross Jackson, a Fraser from the Fairway columnist, will be in the Royal & Ancient Swing Zone coaching anyone who wants to pay him a visit and leading sessions for free for golfers of all ages and standards.

Jackson said: “2017 was the first year that I was chosen to become part of the team, it was something I thoroughly enjoyed and was keen to take the opportunity in 2018 when I was asked again.

“It was fantastic last year - purely from a golfing perspective The Open Championship is the pinnacle and the buzz from the event is like nothing else.

“To play an extremely small role in the event was an absolute honour. I was fortunate to meet some fantastic people and work with a great team of coaches.”

Jackson used to work at Ingleby Barwick Golf Academy and Stressholme, Darlington, before moving over to Billingham earlier this year where he now runs The Golf Performance Institute, which provides excellent facilities and technology for golfers to improve.

He said: “It will be fantastic to be up in Scotland for the week. The R&A Swing Zone on behalf of the R&A and The PGA is a specifically designed area where spectators at The Open have the option of a free 15-minute coaching session from a specially assembled team of PGA coaches.

“It should be an enjoyable week and it will also be a stern test for the players who are playing in The Open.

“It will be the first time that I have worked in a Scottish based Open Championship so I’m looking forward to embracing all of the heritage associated with golf in Scotland.”

While Jackson might not have been to an Open at Carnoustie before, he has graced the course himself and he knows that the challenge will be huge for those playing until Sunday.

Padraig Harrington was the last man to win there on the east coast of Scotland in 2007, while Paul Lawrie was the previous winner in 1999. The challenge is on to see who can prise the Claret Jug away from Jordan Spieth this time around, following his success at Royal Birkdale 12 months ago.

And Jackson, who is a huge studier of the sport and is always looking for new techniques to develop his coaching talent, is convinced that the hot summer will make the challenge of Carnoustie a lot different to normal.

Jackson said: “The Open Championship is by far and away my favourite golf tournament, I really feel proud that such an incredible event takes place in the UK.

“I have been fortunate enough to play Carnoustie. In my personal opinion it is the hardest course on The Open rota.

“Once you factor in the current ground conditions I really feel this opens the tournament up to players who might not have necessarily been in contention, like the shorter hitters.

“The player who can navigate their golf ball off the tee the best (due to firm fast conditions narrowing fairways) will have valid chance of winning the Claret Jug.”