Aaron Rai's roar, 'busy' Tuesday for Justin Rose and an 'inspiration' - Martin Dempster's Open diary

Aaron Rai reveals PGA roar!

Aaron Rai has revealed when he finally let his guard down and yelled out loud about becoming a major winner.

The Englishman lifted the lid on his shout of joy as he talked about becoming the PGA champion in May at the Association of Golf Writers’ Dinner at Birkdale on Tuesday night.

“It was when I was in the car with (wife) Gaurika as we were heading from the course,” said Rai, smiling. “I rolled down the window and just shouted out loud when we were on the highway!”

Rai joined Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald in being honoured at the annual golf writers’ bash.

‘Busy’ Tuesday for Justin Rose

Justin Rose announced his arrival in golf as a 17-year-old amateur at Royal Birkdale in 1998 and now he’s an Honorary Member of the Southport club.

The Englishman was afforded the status on Tuesday night along with Jordan Spieth, who picked up the Claret Jug in the previous edition here in 2017.

“Busy Tuesday @TheOpen ending with a very special evening being inducted as an honorary member @royalbirkdale,” wrote Rose in a social media post.

Spieth joins Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch and Mark O’Meara in being honoured as a Birkdale winner.

Irishman hoping to be ‘inspiration’

David Howard, who qualified at Dundonald Links, is teeing up in the 154th Open after defying the odds to become a full-time golfer.

The Irishman was seven when he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a rare genetic condition, and was worried he might not live beyond his mid-20s.

“Here I am, as healthy as ever and playing at the Open. It’s just nuts,” he said, smiling, after playing a practice round earlier this week with Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry.

Howard takes up to 30 tablets a day to prevent infection and help digest food properly. “Yeah, I’d like to think I’m an inspiration,” he added.

St Andrews winner making history

Lev Grinberg has already tasted success at St Andrews this year and now the Ukraine-born player is making a dream appearance in The Open.

Following in the footsteps of Cameron Adam, the 18-year-old is teeing up in the season’s final major after winning The Open Amateur Series.

His seven-shot success in the Links Trophy at St Andrews teed up the opportunity, with performances in The Amateur and European Amateur also contributing.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Grinberg, who is flying the French flag but is the first Ukrainian-born golfer to play in a major.