Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger sit down in advance of the British Open to discuss their undying affection for links golf. Both writers have covered decades of Opens and probably spent just as much time traipsing linksland chasing their own golf balls.

Topics discussed:

1:23 -- Why links golf is better

4:35 -- Playing jet-lag golf

7:37 -- The 1985 Open

10:55 -- Playing the Old Course alone, and in reverse

13:40 -- Walking St. Andrews with Tom Watson

17:20 -- The best courses in the rota

19:00 -- Jack Nicklaus and hotels

23:15 -- Tom Watson and the 2009 Open