The Players
Rick Bristow (Champion 2002, 2007)
The only reason he hasn't won more tournaments is because he has been plagued by bad luck. Sudden gusts of wind, earthquakes and ball stealing badgers have ruined many a championship for Bristow.
Should have won 8, but only has 2 titles to his name. Holds the unofficial course record (61). Great bloke.
Luke Fletcher (Champion 2000, 2001, 2003)
Probably the least talented of the three, but his steely nerve and icy cool temperament when others were choking around him resulted in him dominating the tournament in the early years.
However, his decision to move to Spain to further develop his game in the aftermath of his 2003 victory backfired dramatically. He may have become a better golfer, but since that golden summer he has not been able to produce his best when it really matters. Now a shadow of his former self, he misses 2 footers and plops his ball into the notorious Barry Burn with unerring regularity.
In a desperate bid to resurrect his career, he has now moved back to Britain, and can be found every Saturday out on the Folkestone Sports Centre Old Course confronting his demons on the 17th tee. Keeps saying that 'A wounded Fletcher is a Fletcher at his most dangerous', but how wounded does he need to be to perform?
Neil Allen (Champion 1999, 2005, 2006) 
Grew up next to a golf course, and played off 10 when he was 12. It is not an exaggeration to say that Neil is by far and away the most talented golfer in the field.
His tendency to self-destruct and go from the sublime to the ridiculous in the blink of an eye has meant that he hasn't won as many opens as he should have. It seems that the only player capable of beating Al is Al himself, and only when he is right mentally does he produce his best golf.
Has now moved to Oman, the only other place in the world where you can find a putting surface similar to the sports centre's 'browns'. Also rumoured to be seeing a sports' psychologist. Will surely win more opens in the future.