Jim Black's Open Diary: Birdies, eagles but no seagulls as R&A use method Alfred Hitchcock would approve of

Alfred Hitchcock would have approved of the R&A’s way of dealing with pesky seagulls.

A flock of killer birds has been employed to keep the skies over the Old Course clear of the flying rats who regularly dive-bomb spectators in search of scraps. An Indian Eagle Owl, an African Tawny Eagle and a Harris Hawk – none of which appeared in Hitchcock’s 1963 film The Birds – are being used to scare off the unwelcome visitors to The Open.

TIGER WOODS owes caddie Billy Foster big time. US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick’s bagman revealed how he came to Tiger’ s rescue when the pair headed for the gents at the 2002 Ryder Cup. After Billy spotted that the first cubicle was out of toilet paper he headed for the adjoining trap.Seconds later he heard the lock click next door and smiled at the thought of the 15-time major winner being caught short.