Padraig has given me a great scoop

TWO-TIME Open champ Padraig Harrington once offered the R&A advice on how to improve the Open experience - the installation of a soft-serve ice cream machine in the players' lounge.

- JIM BLACK'S

The Irishman claims his suggestion went down a treat with his rivals and their offspring. But he was amazed how many people didn’t know what a ‘99’ is.

He was also bitterly disappointed when caterers decided to do away with self-service. Harrington revealed: “When they went with a fancy scooped ice-cream, served to you by people, it was a disaster.

“The thrill of it is serving your own ice cream and how much you want in there. Having people serve it to you kills the experience.”