AT this year's Open Golf Championship the eyes of the international media have been focused on modest teenager Ryo Ishikawa, Japan's hottest young golf hope. But at home, the BBC is under pressure from viewers' complaints that its coverage, in particular edited highlights, has been lacking.
The Corporation sent 115 staff and an undisclosed number of freelancers to the event to produce 70 hours of coverage.
A spokeswoman for the BBC said it would be unable to collate figures until next week but confirmed that letters of complaint have been received.
The BBC says its coverage includes 40 hours on BBC1 and BBC2 and 29 hours on BBC Red Button and BBC Online.
BBC Radio 5 Live will broadcast 45 hours of scheduled coverage, as well as providing material for Radios 1, 2 and 4, all the regional radio stations and the world service.
The spokeswoman said: "It is one of the most complicated outside broadcasts that we do. Offering extensive, high quality coverage from events like this is an enormous undertaking that demands long hours from a committed team of people. The logistics involved in providing coverage for a golf broadcast like The Open, which at Turnberry this year will be played out across 7204 yards, are immense."
The BBC was quick to point out that none of its staff stayed in hotels during The Open, ensuring the licence fee payer gained value for money.
Despite attempts to boost attendance at The Open, figures were down this year compared to its last outing in Scotland, two years ago at Carnoustie. More than 154,000 turned out for that event compared to 120,000 at Turnberry over the weekend. The disappointing attendance figures mean the R&A are facing a shortfall of £1million compared to revenue generated by Carnoustie's event.
The R&A, custodians of The Open, fought to ensure the A77 at Alloway was extended to improve traffic flow in a bid to secure the championship for Turnberry.
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said that although traffic had been heavy, there had been no lengthy delays.
Japanese talent Ishikawa, however, did his bit to boost attendance. Hailed as an Asian Tiger Woods, he is aiming to earn his stripes at this year's Open.
At just 17, the player shot to fame in Japan two years ago when he won the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup, on the Japan Tour.
Last year Ishikawa became the youngest ever player to reach the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings by the end of the season.
His stellar rise peaked in June when he took the top prize at the Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic to qualify for The Open, propelling him across the seas to the west coast of Scotland, surrounded by bodyguards and PR staff.
But in Japan the teenager, whose nickname, Hanikami Oji, means bashful prince, has become more than just a golf star. Last year, he earned $1.1m for playing, and more than 10 times that in endorsements.
Ishikawa has legions of fans who trail him and hundreds of radio, TV and newspaper reporters have followed him to Turnberry to monitor his every move.
One Glasgow-based Japanese is making the most of the eastern influx by supplying sushi to the tournament.
Joseph Suzuki, owner of Bento Box, said: "Scotland is the home of golf but this year there is a huge Japanese interest in the tournament. Golf and sushi make a perfect pairing."
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