Aaron Rai sleeps in caddie's camper van ahead of first round at 150th Open

Aaron Rai spent the night before the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in his caddie’s camper van after his gamble to head to St Andrews as the second reserve paid off.

After making the long journey up from Birmingham on Wednesday evening and getting around four hours' sleep in the camper van, Rai found out at 10am on Thursday that he would be playing following Erik van Rooyen's withdrawal.

Rai, who shot an opening 75 in the afternoon, said: "James from the R&A explained that in his 30 years' experience, never have they had two players withdraw on the Thursday. The chances were very thin but I thought it was worth a shot so we drove up yesterday evening from Birmingham in my caddie Jason Timmis’ camper van and arrived here just after midnight.

“I like to be very organised and detailed in my preparation, but it was great just to be out there. I probably got about four hours, so it’s been a very long day."