Golf: Royal Liverpool Club to host 2006 British Open

The Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake in England will stage the 2006 British Open.

It will be the 11th time that Royal Liverpool has staged the world's oldest major but the first time since 1967.

Argentina's Roberto de Vicenzo won the title the last time it was played over the Royal Liverpool links before infrastructure and transport problems meant the club was withdrawn from the list of Open venues.

But the club has made the necessary changes to meet the standards required of Open venues, including buying an extra 4ha for a new practice ground.

South Africa's Ernie Els will defend his British Open title at Royal St George's next year. The championship moves to Royal Troon in 2004 and St Andrews in 2005.