No doubts who's biggest cat

Behind the ropes: John O'Sullivan watched the world number one announce his arrival with a course record

"Who's that guy with Padraig Harrington," one wag ventured standing close to the first tee for the most eagerly awaited twoball during yesterday's opening round. It appeared that the majority of the 18,700 crowd that thronged Mount Juliet descended on the tete-a-tete between the Irishman and Tiger Woods.

The old adage suggested that there is many a true word spoken in jest and the opening, light-hearted aside was given some resonance by an incident on Wednesday night. Woods could reasonably claim to be the most recognisable face on the planet but much to his amusement he found a "non-believer" among his billions of disciples.

Keen to avail of the leisure facilities in Mount Juliet House, he was stopped by a young woman who politely informed him that he could not use the amenities without the requisite badge of entrance.

Bemused, he paused briefly to see if there was belated recognition, before venturing, "Would you know who I am if I told you I was Tiger Woods?"

Mortified, the woman apologised profusely, and Woods went about his work-out but remained intrigued as to whether she genuinely did not recognise him. The woman in question, embarrassed, sought refuge in a back office for fear of bumping into Woods and compounding her distress.

On completing his time in the gym, Woods inquired after her, sought her out and inquired: "When you said you didn't recognise me, were you being genuine," to which she replied, "Yes, I was. I'm so sorry Mr Woods." The American smiled, gave the girl a hug, saying "God bless you".

There was no danger of Woods going incognito on the course, as a huge gallery grabbed every possible vantage point, many secured well in advance of golf's number one attraction's arrival on the first tee.

Harrington was first to drive, his tee-shot perfectly placed. Woods then set himself amid a funereal silence, the ball hugging the left hand extremity of the fairway.

Among the onlookers were Kilkenny hurling star DJ Carey and former Walker Cup hero Jody Fanagan. For the latter it must have revisited fond memories. In 1995, Fanagan partnered Harrington in the Walker Cup to victory over Woods.

Once both players had hit, the cavalry charge began, with spectators rushing pell mell to claim the box seats for the next shot.

The race to get down the hill from the back of the second green inspired some unusual short-cuts down steep slopes, and for several people not under their own steam. Nobody wanted to miss a minute of Wood's first competitive round in Ireland.

Harrington drew first blood with a birdie on the second hole, courtesy of an exquisite second shot, but thereafter the day belonged to Woods who produced a bogey free, seven-birdie onslaught in a course record.

The Irishman would finish on three under and not in the same pair of shoes in which he started. Approaching the seventh green, his caddy, Dave McNeilly, managed to get a security official following the match to have a change of shoes ready. Harrington teed off the eighth in a pair of brown shoes and by the time he'd played his second was sporting a white pair.

An engaging golfing occasion, played in balmy conditions, received the perfect denouement when Woods rolled home a 25-foot putt for birdie on the home green to break the record. He graciously acknowledged the support he had received.

"I was telling Paddy (Padraig) they're not only gracious but they understand the game of golf. It's great to play in front of galleries that are knowledgeable and the Irish fans are certainly knowledgeable about the game of golf."

Perhaps the only sort of recognition that Tiger Woods craves.