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Open diary

17/ 7/2008

THE possibility of an Asian player winning this week revived memories for some of the senior spectators here of Lu Liang-Huan, known affectionately as Mr Lu, who cut an unmistakable figure at the 1971 Open.

The crowds at Royal Birkdale warmed to the 34-year-old Taiwanese player and his distinctive pork-pie hat. Some sparkling play saw him capture second place behind Lee Trevino, but it was Lu's taste in headwear that earned him cult status. Throughout the tournament each burst of applause from the crowd was met by a tip of the brim.

RYDER Cup captain Nick Faldo, who was a guest at the Association of Golf Writers' dinner on Tuesday night and told his European players "to get their fingers out this week" was on the range checking on them before the big tee-off today. He took a keen interest in Martin Kaymer and Oliver Fisher and had a long chat with his former caddie Fanny Sunesson, who now is on the bag for Henrik Stenson, one of those in contention for September's match.

THE mobile phone ban, enforced for the first time at Carnoustie, is continuing at Birkdale.

"About 8,000 fans handed them in at the gates last year and picked them up on the way out. We were left with only two unclaimed," said Championship director David Hill, who revealed that one spectator tried to smuggle in his phone hidden in a sandwich! He added that the R&A did not receive a single complaint from any of the players about phone ringing or cameras flashing."

MORE than 100 Merseyside cabbies will have learned the `golfing' knowledge courtesy of the UK's only PGA national residential golf academy at nearby Formby Hall.

With The Open expected to attract more than 230,000 visitors, the region's taxi-drivers will be busier than ever and free `golf workshops' have equipped them with the latest golfing know-how to keep passengers entertained.