The British Open Championship has started today at The Royal Birkdale Golf Club Links Course in Lancashire, and the winter-like weather is causing havoc!

Wind and driving rain has already claimed its first victim. Former Open winner, Sandy Lyle decided to stop playing on the 9th hole, already a whopping 11 over, blaming the conditions stopping him being able to gain any momentum and suggesting it was impossible to play as he wears glasses.

Padraig Harrington, who has had eye surgery so as to stop wearing glasses, is playing okay and with no concerns with his wrist injury that had threatened to stop Harrington defending the title he won last year at Carnoustie in a playoff against this years’ favourite, Sergio Garcia.

The weather really is affecting the Open.

The conditions are atrocious on what is already a difficult course to play. There’s no sign of the latest colourful fashions and styles which I enjoy as much as the golf itself. Nothing but waterproofs and umbrellas.

As I type, K J Choi is the only competitor to be under par.