Howeller's Defence
At the conclusion to regulation play at last year's Open I found myself stood near the Garcia family and chose to watch the result of Sergio's putt for glory via their faces. The twisted masks of pain I witnessed offered a real insight into the agonies the family and friends of golfers suffer during a round.
It was something I was reminded of today when I watched the father of David Howell live every shot his son played in the first round of what Ray Howell reminded me is David's "defence" of his title (he was unable to genuinely do so last year due to injury).
Nor was Ray alone outside the ropes this morning. Girlfriend Emily and coach Jamie Gough were also in support (along with half of Swindon if the accent's were anything to go by).
A friendly bunch they were, too, which is no great surprise to those who read Howell's excellent blog on his website; probably the funniest, most honest and genuine account of professional golf on the internet.
I particularly recommend the wonderful stories about his caddies in Vietnam and Morocco ...
Levet Makes Friends
Having backed Thomas Levet to win, my first task upon arrival was to join him for his early tee time.
It wasn't the best of beginnings: an impossible lie in a bunker leading to a double bogey on the first.
Nor was his putter working, as the Frenchman wasted numerous birdie opportunities.
When one did finally arrive a father and son in the gallery appeared to take greater pleasure than Thomas himself.
It emerged that on the first tee Thomas had handed the young lad two gloves from his bag, gaining a loyal lieutenant for the day.
Overheard
One of the more unflattering technical descriptions of the admittedly very strong grip of Hennie Otto: "Look at that. His hands look like a gorilla's grabbing a bunch of bananas."
A Year is a Long Time in Golf
Last July I was in Cardiff for the Wales Challenge, watching a soaked and miserable-looking Felipe Aguilar drag himself around a near-flooded course.
Who could have predicted that within ten months he would have won four times worldwide - twice on the Challenge Tour, once in his homeland Chile, and his maiden European Tour title in Indonesia?
Even less credible would have been forecasting him arriving at Wentworth in a pair of trousers with one black leg and one white which prompted one wag to suggest that he resembled a "monochrome jester".
There was no reason to laugh at his 71, though. He's a very fine golfer and worth watching this week.
A Genuinely Stylish Golfer
If you want real style on the golf course, look no further than Johan Edfors.
It has become obligatory for me to check out his latest outfit and he wasn't letting me down today with an under-stated grey and off-white combination.
What fascinates me about his clothing manufacturer Puma is their uncanny knack of signing players prior to a hot run of form.
They took on Geoff Ogilvy the year he won the World Matchplay and US Open, Edfors the year of his treble and got hold of Joost Luiten before he took the Challenge Tour by storm in 2007.
I asked Edfors' girlfriend Cecilia about Puma's mystery talent scout. She was unable to confirm his existence, but did explain that the firm has a real family-feel which makes Johan right at home.
It might be worth noting that form-horse Alvaro Velasco is the latest player to start wearing their range.
Zlatan eyes English challenge
ROSE HOME, LOOKING FOR KICK-START
SCOTLAND OUT TO EMULATE ENGLISH STARS
