While the likes of Adam Scott and Jason Day expect to be pushing hard for the Claret Jug, just competing at this week’s British Open is a victory of sorts for a handful of Aussie battlers.

The 12-strong Australian contingent at Muirfield features two players making their major championship debuts, three 1000-1 outsiders and several others with limited experience at the highest level.

Stephen Dartnall and Steve Jeffress booked their maiden major appearances through the international qualifying event at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath in January.

The pair shared a practice round at Muirfield on Sunday, swapping pre-tournament thoughts but conscious of keeping excitement and nerves to a minimum.

“You help each other out but you just try not to get carried away with the whole thing, which is pretty easy to do,” said Western Australian Dartnall.

“In saying that, I probably still will.

“It’s just sensational being here but you’ve just got to try and play it down as much as you can.

“If you get too mucked up you can waste all your energy before you even tee off on Thursday.”

The duo is joined in the field by fellow 1000-1 outsider John Wade, a 44-year-old club pro who sealed a spot through local qualifying and will add to his sole Open appearance in 2005.

Australia has a strong group of potential contenders in established US PGA Tour players Day, Scott, Marc Leishman, John Senden and Geoff Ogilvy while Marcus Fraser and Brendan Jones are potential dark horses but have yet to produce their best golf on the biggest stage.

Despite Brett Rumford’s strong form in Europe this year he’s playing in only his third major, and first in seven years, while Peter Senior, 53, features in only his second major since 2000.

Realistically, making the cut against the world’s best would be a great result for the longest shots but don’t expect them to take that mentality on to the first tee on Thursday.

“It’s just like any event, of course you want to go in there and win,” Dartnall said.

“You’re playing against everyone in the world and it’s my first time experiencing an event like this, but you’re still aiming to do that and see what happens.”