Inside the ropes

After following the calm three-ball of Greg Norman, Robert Karlsson and Woody Austin yesterday, matters were more restricted for members of the media today. It's slightly more hustle and bustle out there, with an army of stewards keeping the hacks and scribes in check.

Choosing to take in the sights of Sergio Garcia's party with deputy editor Neil Tappin, it seemed we were constantly being man-marked by one media

liaison officer who had probably clocked us for a couple of cowboys. To be fair, the old boy was fairly helpful and understanding. Come to think of it,

the jobsworth count is pretty minimal around the fairways and most of the boys in blue (you can't miss them on the box with their fetching jackets)

let you get on with your job with little or no fuss.

Yesterday, as the buzz around Norman gathered pace with the Shark's relentless surge through the front nine, I shared the paths and rough with a

few guys from ABC as well as a couple of Australian print reporters. We were like a little family, sharing biscuits and everything. Today, the Sun's

hardened hack Steve Howard strutted with us. He made the rather sloppy move of not packing any waterproofs and when a filthy downpour hit us on the 13th green I was keen to catch his eye and flash the Galvin Green Gore-Tex in his direction.

It is interesting to watch how other reporters operate. Some of the young breed (I'd like to include myself in that) play it more by memory; noting

personal touches about the players. Many old school reporters jot down the action as they go along, while others simply lock themselves in the media

tent all day and watch it unfold on the big screen.

As an Open rookie, that's not for me. In fact, with a certain Colin Montgomerie teeing off in half and hour, it's time to get out there and follow the big man. Better leave the mobile indoors...