A course that can quickly turn ugly

Every year around this time our neighbours across the Irish Sea treat the sporting world to a bonanza of world class events like the British Grand Prix, Wimbledon and the Open Championship.

Each event is famed as much for their pedigree as for their history. For the begrudgers there is the opportunity to take a swipe at the pomp, the pimm’s, the blazers and, of course, the strawberries.

But behind all the traditions lie many of the most sought after and prestigious titles in the world none more so than this week’s Open Championship at the self proclaimed “home of golf” the Royal & Ancient Club of St Andrews.