By PHILIP REID

Cink sticks to tradition

AT least one American stuck to the old-fashioned way – first promoted by Tom Watson and later by Tiger Woods – of visiting Ireland to play links courses ahead of the British Open.

Stewart Cink combined a family holiday with his wife, Lisa, and son, Connor – which included a trip to the Cliffs of Moher (the photos to prove it are posted on his Twitter page) – with rounds at Lahinch Old, Ballybunion and Doonbeg.

Cink’s visit to the west coast was jeopardised when he discovered his son’s passport was out of date and it took a visit to Washington to cut through the red tape to get a new one to rescue matters and ensure that the trip went ahead.

Howell makes a fine toast host

DAVID Howell got to make a speech at a British Open, just not the type that he had always dreamed of making.

Howell was the guest speaker at the Association of Golf Writer’s dinner on Tuesday night where Pádraig Harrington was presented with the player of the year award.

“I’ve always wanted to make a speech at the Open . . . . as a champion. But I guess I’ll settle for this for now,” said Howell.

The Englishman, who has been struggling for form, could well hit the after-dinner circuit when his playing days are over.

His clever speech included jokes aimed at Ian Woosnam (his Ryder Cup captain at The K Club), Colin Montgomerie, Ernie Els and of course himself.

Monty keeps his counsel

IF the so-called Jakartagate affair came back to haunt Colin Montgomerie with the broadside from Sandy Lyle in recent days, the one-time kingpin of European golf decided that the best reaction was, well, not to react.

“I’ve had time to digest what Sandy said and I have decided not to say anything about it . . . I don’t think his comments warrant anything.

“I know he’s disappointed at not being Ryder Cup captain (for Celtic Manor in 2010). It’s obvious. That’s fine. But don’t take it out on me.”

Lyle, in regurgitating allegations of an improper drop by Monty in the Indonesian Open in 2005, confirmed by video footage, had called his fellow-Scot’s actions “a form of cheating”. European Tour chief executive George O’Grady issued a statement yesterday in which he outlined that Montgomerie’s actions had been fully debated at the time and called Lyle’s comments “wholly inappropriate and ill-timed”.

Dawson to set testing example

RA chief executive Peter Dawson will undergo a drugs test tomorrow as testing is carried out at the Open for the first time.

Drug testing on the European and US Tours began last year, with no positive findings so far reported, but it was not carried out during the Open at Birkdale as international qualifying had started before the various education programmes had been fully embarked upon.

However, it will be undertaken at Turnberry for both performance-enhancing and recreational drugs, using the same procedures as on the European Tour.