With a bitter wind sweeping out to sea and the threat of rain in leaden skies, it wasn't weather for Scott Hoch, recent winner of the Western Open. Which explained why compatriots were seeking out one of golf's great malcontents during practice yesterday.

In a career spanning two decades, Hoch is this week making only his fourth appearance in the British Open. The first two were at St Andrews, which he described as "the worst piece of mess I've ever seen", after missing the cut in 1990 and sharing 68th place in 1995. And the third was at Royal Birkdale three years ago, when he missed the cut.

He further claimed: "I don't like cold weather, especially when it's mixed with rain and wind." So, as a mature 45-year-old with earnings of $2,575,986 to his credit already this season, what had possessed him to come to Lytham for the first time?

"These conditions are not really mine, even though I've hit some great shots out here," he admitted. "But I've enjoyed it so far, even if my hands are real cold right now. That's not good for me."

But there will be no future comebacks for two legendary figures of Lytham. In 1963, Bob Charles became - and remains - the only left-hander to have won the title, and Gary Player is here for an astonishing 46th consecutive challenge in the event, as winner of the title in 1974. Both were given special exemptions.

"I must tell you a fascinating story," said Player, who has lost none of his enthusiasm for press interviews. "When Peter Thomson and David Thomas had tied here in 1958, I asked the Rules Secretary if I could come into his office and watch them finish? And I stood there by the window, and after sort of watching them finish I said: 'Gee, I have to win this championship'. Little did I know I was going to win it the next year."

He went on: "During that championship, there were no rakes for the bunkers. Guys raked the sand with a club and pushed it over with their feet. And at number eight I hit it in a big hole and couldn't get out.

"I'd better not mention his name, but I went to the secretary of the R and A. I was not being facetious; I was honestly being courteous and sincere when I said: 'I would love to buy 18 rakes. Really I would like to do this. I would like to buy 18 rakes and donate them'.

"He said: 'Get out of my office you little, insolent bastard'."

Possibly unaware of the current pecking order in profanity, Player turned to the media and said innocently: "I don't know how you are going to print that. You'd better say bugger."

The South African then talked of today's prize money and of players flying in their own jets, as if he were strapped for cash after 162 tournament victories world-wide.

"They offer you $250,000 to go somewhere and nowadays the guys say they are busy, they are going fishing," he said. "Me, I get in a rowing boat and row. Things have changed."

Still, he may have a point. Out of 147 rounds in the Open, which delivered three victories and nine other top-10 finishes, Player earned a total of £45,823 in prize money since his debut at Hoylake in 1956. Which is a modest 7.6 per cent of the £600,000 the winner will receive on Sunday. Things have changed.