Open Diary: 'No rivalry' between Fitzpatrick brothers as Alex makes major debut

Alex Fitzpatrick has had quite a week at the 151st Open, first making his debut in a major championship and then winning the inter-family honours at older brother Matt’s expense.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Alex Fitzpatrick has had quite a week at the 151st Open, first making his debut in a major championship and then winning the inter-family honours at older brother Matt’s expense. Pic: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

There has been drama and not a little controversy on the Wirral away from Royal Liverpool this week thanks to an unsavoury incident at the Irish golf journalists’ shared quarters above a launderette in nearby Wallasey.

Members of the Fourth Estate found themselves trapped one morning after unnamed commercial radio reporters left for the course with all the front door keys, securing the property on their way out. They had reached Hoylake by the time the alarm was raised and with no means of safe exit from the first floor residence, the written media were forced to wait for rescuers.