Portmarnock’s stance is an insult to every woman in the country

AS Nick Faldo was walking to the last green in the final round of the British Open last Sunday, the crowd were on their feet, giving him a tremendous ovation.

It undoubtedly turned the clock back for him. From the mid-80s to the mid-90s he was at the top of the world of golf. Peter Allis, the BBC commentator, delved into his own memory bank: “I remember almost the last conversation I had with Henry Longhurst and I said to him, ‘Anything you regret?’ And he said, ‘I wish I had been nicer when I was younger’.”

With Faldo centre screen, Allis pointedly added: “I wonder if that ever goes through other people’s minds.” Faldo has had his difficulties with the media over the years. After winning the British Open at Muirfield in 1992 he infamously thanked his “friends” in the media “from heart of my bottom”. It was a calculated insult, and they have obviously not forgotten. One starter at the Irish Open a few years ago recalled mentioning to one world-famous golfer from not a million miles away that the weather looked like it was going to clear. It was only by way of small talk and the golfer just grunted. Moments later the golfer’s caddy came along and asked if every thing was all right. Great, the starter heard the golfer reply, “they’ve even got a f**king weatherman here.”