TEE ROOM

A STAR IN STRIPES

PATRICK REED has ‘Royal Birkdale 2017’ printed on his specialedition golf bag but he remains a proud American at heart. The Ryder Cup star has the Stars and Stripes emblazoned on his shoes, putter cover and even on both sides of his scorecard holder.

IT’S ANDY FOR WESTWOOD

LEE WESTWOOD produced one of the shots of the tournament, pitching in for an eagle two on the par-four fifth hole. Nobody had a better view than golf-mad HRH Prince Andrew (left), who was standing slap bang in the middle of the fairway at the time.

KENNY TIMES IT RIGHT

LICENSING restrictions meant BBC Radio 5 Live had to go next door to Hillside Golf Club to broadcast a podcast about Liverpool FC. Appropriately, Anfield legend and former manager Kenny Dalglish arrived for his afternoon fourball just as the programme began.

GENTLEMAN AND A BOUNDER

R&A OFFICIALS had to move quickly before the tournament to declare the 10th fairway out of bounds to players going down the ninth. Some pros, including Phil Mickelson, figured the 10th actually gave a better angle of attack to the green.

IS HARMON ON PIE TV?

SKY’s studio couldn’t be better situated, just off the 18th fairway, and as Rickie Fowler headed for the green he was able to wave to Butch Harmon. But what will his coach (left) make of his gesture that the 73-year-old may be carrying a few too many pounds these days?

SOLDIERING ON

SIXTY of the marshals here are members of the Army Golf Association. One of them explained: ‘They like us because we turn up on time and do as we are told.’