Hamilton’s scrambling style of play was key to his victory in 2004, using a hybrid club back then.
And while he has left the hybrid back home in Texas, he is expecting to still be up to his usual tricks.
But for the other players at The 152nd Open hoping to emulate his success, his advice is to avoid having to get themselves out of jail like he did.
“Any time you are playing a Championship event, first of all you have got to drive the ball well,” Hamilton explained.
“If you drive it into the heavy rough or the bunker out here, you are behind the 8-ball from the start. So, first things first, drive it on to the fairway.
“Give what the course takes, the course is not going to give you birdie chances on every hole, just pick your places to succeed.
“From what I remember, the front nine is mostly down wind, if you get the traditional wind and the back nine is the tougher part of the golf course.
“So don’t force it, get on the fairway first, hopefully you have a good week putting and see where the chips fall at the end of the week.”