Ashley Chesters' diary for the Open week
The nature of this week meant I was half planning for some surreal moments in my time at Liverpool and the first day certainly lived up to those expectations.
I was on the range at 8am and practicing alongside one of the sport's legends Tom Watson and Major champion and Ryder Cup star Jim Furyk was a unique and slightly strange experience.
Later in the day I was doing some putting drills in the vicinity of Phil Mickelson – it certainly struck home straight away that the week of The Open had well and truly arrived!
The official Open website was briefly reporting that I played a practice round with Tom and Jim yesterday but that wasn't the case.
I went solo with just Ricky (Pharo, caddie) and Welchy (coach Michael Welch) for company, and that was exactly how we wanted it.
It gave me a chance to have a good look at a course I've played a few times in the past but never with the fanfare of this week.
The course is in excellent condition and the one big difference to what I've known here before is that it's the first time I've played it off the very back tees.
On the whole, I was pleased with my game. I didn't drive the ball quite as well as I would have liked over the first nine.
I have the option of trying a new driver out today so I have a little bit of thinking to do on that front.
Arguably the biggest surprise yesterday came while I was out on the course when I was asked for my autograph.
Not just by one or two spectators, there were dozens! I'm fairly sure they wouldn't even know who I was but there they were, thrusting a cap in front of me asking for signature after signature.
I hadn't got an autograph as such at the start of this week so that is something which needs some work over the next few days.
The plan today is to go out with a couple of Englishmen in Chris Wood and David Howell in an all-English threeball appealed.
Talking of three balls, I'm pleased with the draw for the first two rounds. Branden Grace and Freddie Jacobson are very good players and I'm looking forward to playing alongside them.
An early start on Thursday and lunchtime tee-off on Friday is just fine. I just can't wait to get started.
By Ashley Chesters
