HOWZAT

Then a sort of peace broke out. Lyle and Montgomerie concentrated on their preparations for the Open. Lyle looked shell shocked. Montgomerie gave a masterly demonstration of dignity by saying it was over but by the way, a bond with Lyle had been broken.

This family spat ended as the Open began. Ended? That is probably not the right word. Stopped for the moment might be more appropriate.

Will the real Tiger Woods please stand up

Why does Tiger Woods often seem so stony faced? Why can he be so uncooperative with journalists whom he knows? When he finished his practice round at Turnberry on Sunday he was unable to go straight to the car park and make his exit with the alacrity he had showed when he arrived. He had to go into the clubhouse to register and there at the bottom of a staircase two journalists waited, anxious for nothing more than a few words from him as to his thoughts about a course he had never seen before. Did Woods oblige? All he said to them was a terse "I already did."

Likewise, when an American golf writer wanted a few words with Woods on his way to his car he was curt.

Woods cultivates a public and a private persona. In private, he is the arch joke teller. What a pity that he chooses to keep this side of his personality under wraps and instead give the impression to so many that he is an expressionless golfer with his eyes set on some distant target.

Westwood's caddie walks the walk

Dr Foster might have gone to Gloucester according to the rhyme but Billy Foster went to Turnberry. Walked to Turnberry, in fact, from Loch Lomond, covering 75 miles in four days and raising at least £50,000 for charity.

"In a perverse way I enjoyed it," Lee Westwood's caddie said on Monday. "I've got a stiff neck and blisters on one foot and I'm glad I did it but I am not sure I would do it again."

During his walk, Foster carried a bag containing eight clubs, a pair of shoes, a change of clothes and some first aid equipment. He walked with Stuart Hooley, 61, a friend, and a very keen walker himself. Foster raised nearly £1,000 from money that was put into his golf bag as he travelled. He stopped for a pie and a pint at Helensburgh, Prestwick St Nicholas and West Kilbride golf clubs and at all three he was fed and watered for nothing and contributions were made to his cause.

"We walked for about eight or nine hours a day. A lot of the route was very nice, on cycle paths. The paths here in Scotland are terrific. They put the ones in England to shame. Around Troon we walked five miles or so along the beach.

"A funny moment came when we got to Irvine Bogside. I now know that it's called Bogside because it is. We found the shortest part of the bog and I made a dash to get across it. I just about made it. I had visions of sinking into it and of the bag being left floating on the water."