Royal Lytham diary

Compiled by PHILIP REID

In fashion: McDowell gets in on garments games

Watch out Ian James Poulter, there's another fashion designer on the scene! The new G-Mac by Kartel line of clothing worn on tour in recent months by Graeme McDowell was launched to the public yesterday and is available online – at kartel.ie/g-mac– and through retail outlets.

The 2010 US Open champion took a hands-on approach in the design of the clothing line, with garments named after some of the North’s top courses, including Portrush, Ardglass and Malone.

“I’m really excited about the new range, it should appeal to a large cross section of golfers. It’s exceptional stuff and I can’t wait to hear the reaction to the launch,” said McDowell.

Poulter has been to the fore in designing contemporary golf clothing under his IJP label, while two-time Major champion John Daly has taken to being a clotheshorse for Loudmouth, sporting Union Jack trousers during yesterday’s second round. Other players have gone for more traditional apparel: Adam Scott, for instance, sports Glenmuir, while Luke Donald goes for Ralph Lauren.

Game Mark: Weekend stay for Calcavecchia

Mark Calcavecchia's one and only time to get his hands on the Claret Jug came in his third appearance in the Major, back in 1989. The years may have added an extra bit of weight around his stomach but the 52-year-old proved he had game in firing a second round 68 to comfortably make the cut – which came as good news, as his one fear was that he would be left kicking his heels over the weekend ahead of next week's British Seniors Open at Turnberry.

"I wanted to play all four days here and not have to sit around until Thursday of next week," said a straight-to-the-point Calcavecchia. "I'll have something to do this weekend. I don't see why I can't shoot a couple of more scores in the 60s."

Hand it to him: Clarke's end

You know your time is up when the RA's two top men are waiting by the 18th green on a Friday evening to shake your hands.

So it was for Darren Clarke whose first duty as he walked off the final green after shooting a second round 71 for 147 to miss the cut was to shake hands with Peter Dawson, the chief executive, and Jim McArthur, the chairman of the championship committee, who thanked him for his contribution in his year as champion.

Open debutant: Has golfaholic father

Open debutant Anirban Lahiri, who made the cut comfortably with a level-par total, has been so focused for the first two rounds he has not been concentrating on other scores.

The same cannot be said for his father, however, who Lahiri described as "a golfaholic". "He and my manager were having a beer last night and jabbing with each other that they're both screen refreshers because they just want to know what the score is, even if it's been updated two seconds ago," said the 25-year-old, who booked his place in International final qualifying in Asia.

"When we got back late last night the first thing he did was open up his laptop and look at it. I told him 'Dad, just don't tell me what's going on. I just want to go out there and keep doing my thing – you can read all you like but just keep it to yourself'."

Misbehaving putter: Off to Bahamas

"Tried my best today but my putter didn't behave! USPGA next for me . . . 2 weeks in the bahamas practicing first!!"

- @DarrenClarke60, who intends hitting the Caribbean for golf and fishing before teeing it up at Kiawah Island in the final Major of the year.