Gareth Bale swans around signing autographs in US Open golf game

Bale has a ball

Gareth Bale’s retirement from football has given him more time to enjoy a sport he prefers. The former Tottenham and Real Madrid and Wales star spent the day at Hoylake and duly obliged when spotted by some eager kids on the hunt for autographs.

The days of players mingling with members in the clubhouse bar after a round are long gone. These days they don’t even use the locker room to change their shoes. Local hero Matthew Jordan has bucked the trend, at least. The Hoylake member has made the effort to say hello to club colleagues after each of his three rounds here.

(Hole in) One Direction

Liverpool's Albert Dock was once famous for its floating weather map, but this week it is a golf green that has taken centre stage. Among the celebrities having a go at the hole-in-one challenge has been One Direction star Niall Horan. The Irishman (right) is a golf fanatic and his ‘Modest! Golf’ organisation have been working with the R&A to grow the game and encourage more young people to play. Horan himself has a more than impressive 8 handicap.

Wayne finds his fizz

Sky Sports’ popular on-course analyst Wayne Riley has been wearing jibes about events at the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford reasonably well this week. Which is just as well, as there have been plenty of them. Riley, meanwhile, opened the ring pull on a can yesterday before pausing for affect. ‘The sound of the Aussie national anthem,’ he quipped. On this occasion, the drink was only fizzy water.

There are many ways in life to waste money but if you’re short of ideas, head to the Open shop at Hoylake. £50 for an umbrella. £25 for a water bottle. Here’s some advice — bring your own.

A final word — maybe — on the controversial 17th hole. One TV analyst, who we won’t name, offered this opinion: ‘If you can’t imagine your grandma being able to play it, it’s too hard’.