Daly acts as a source of inspiration

The Bridgwater-based player, a past winner of the Lytham Trophy for amateurs, celebrated by joining west country pal Mark Sanders in a round with Daly on Wednesday.

It proved the ideal warm-up for Dixon, who said: "Playing with John was awesome and great fun.

"I didn't know what to expect from such enormous crowds, but playing with John on Wednesday helped as, of course, the crowds came out to see him."

Sadly, Sanders struggled to take the same inspiration as he carded an opening-round 79.

Ernie Els admitted that he nearly pulled out of the tournament this week after struggling to recover from a back injury.

A week of treatment appeared to have done the trick for Els, who has not played since last month's US Open, and he carded a level-par opening round of 71.

But he admitted: "I had a scare. I came here on Sunday and played nine holes but could hardly get out of bed on Monday.

"I just have to keep it loose, but I'm feeling good now and I am in the tournament."

Bjorn struggles on the final hole

Thomas Bjorn was another player struggling with illness as the much-fancied Dane slumped to a first-round 76.

His first card included a double-bogey six at the third and a nightmare eight at the par-five seventh.

"The seventh was a total disaster, but I have no excuse," Bjorn said.

Actually, he did.

It turns out Bjorn was awake most of the previous night with flu symptoms, hardly the best preparation for last year's runner-up.

Ian Woosnam found little to smile about in an opening round of 72 and looked ready to pack up and hit the sack as he came off the 18th.

"I had a real tough time out there and I feel knackered, I really do," he sighed.

"It's difficult to keep smiling. I know it's the Championship, but it's just hard work."

Mixed fortunes for American veterans Jim Furyk and Jeff Maggert.

Furyk was handily placed at two-under through 10 holes when he collapsed with a 10 at the par-five 11th.

Furyk struggles to escape one of Lytham's 196 bunkers

From the left-hand fairway bunker, Furyk played into deep rough and was forced to drop from an unplayable position.

A five iron then landed in the face of a greenside bunker, from where his attempted escape rebounded and hit the hapless Furyk, resulting in a two-shot penalty.

No such problems for Maggert, who claimed an albatross at the sixth.

After driving 294 yards, Maggert hit a six-iron 200 yards to the front of the green, then saw a 60-foot carry send the ball rolling home for a two on the 494-yard par five.

Last year, only one player achieved the feat. Manny Zirnan fired a two at the par-five fifth at St Andrews.