The prizes of free tickets and clubs are tempting. Bald Eagle, after numerous attempts over three days, has declared he is halfway there. “I’ve got most of the sand out, now for the ball,” he has told his peers.

  • Awful moment in the press tent. A television next to the giant scoreboard showed the image of a pride of lions nestling in the whin. Bald Eagle, now ever so reluctant to go out and follow a playing group, was subsequently reassured when a technician told him the televisions were being tuned and that he was watching the Discovery Channel.
  • Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, was, of course, a member at Royal St George’s and the area is featured heavily in his novels. There is a James Bond trail, but the Eagle recommends a visit to the Duck Inn, where Mr Fleming was wont to indulge in pub grub and a pint of ale, shaken but not stirred. It is in the hamlet of Pett Bottom. A permanently confused Bald Eagle insists this is not a village but the name of a Bond heroine.
  • There is a relentless optimism to our American cousins. If they were cut off at their knees, they would state it was merely an opportunity for growth. Similarly, they have formed a glee club over links golf, chorusing that it is “fun”. The faces of some of them walking down the 18th last night indicated this was fun of a masochistic variety.
  • Shock, drama. The R&A has a sense of humour. Jerry Kelly took 11 blows at the first hole at Royal St George’s back in 2003. He was picked to play the first shot in this year’s competition.

“I recognise the irony,” admitted Kelly, who took five shots to find the bottom of the first hole yesterday. His round was better, too. He carded an 86 in 2003 and a 74 yesterday.