My first observation is that this year's essential fashion item is a baseball cap covered over by a thick woolly hat - a la Paul Casey.
It may not be a winner on Ladies Day at Ascot, but with horizontal rain and turbine-powered winds today, it was certainly a winner for those brave enough to try this sartorial look.
As for Royal Birkdale it resembled a battle arena today, but instead of gladiators and lions it was an army of golfers fighting the links, which produced the entertainment.
The very first shot I witnessed on arriving at the course was Simon Dyson preparing to play his third shot to the par four 10th from the greenside rough. Six shots later he managed to extricate the ball onto the surface. His playing partners had much better outcomes with a bogey and par.
Consequently, the most aggressive strategy is not always dependent on high tariff, swashbuckling shots. In Dyson's case, I'm sure in hindsight he may have chosen to have played safe to the front of the green for his approach shot - and saved FIVE shots.
Further evidence can be witnessed on the few holes which are playing straight downwind. The 458-yard par four 8th was first birdied by Tom Watson, who ran a mid iron into the green. Many other players found themselves with little over 100 yards to go after massive drives and a slightly mis-struck wedge would pull up too quick or bounce to the back of the green.
The most important shot on any hole is the shot to the green and it is this shot you which you want to make as easy as possible. So, leave your ego at the tee box and play the percentages when conditions like today dictate how you play.
Tomorrow's golf will be interesting and I wonder how many players will wake up in the morning and realise their shoes are still wet and they forgot to dry their grips off? Or they may find that the usual golfers surprise in their bag of a mouldy banana snuggling up against a hard, crumpled leather glove!?!?!
Preparation, preparation, preparation...that is the key when playing in these kind of elements. Look after your kit and it'll look after you!
Nevil Bland is head PGA professional at Brocton Hall.
17 July, 2008 | By PGA professional Nevil Bland