Murray Grayston reports from the first day of the 152nd Open

As a long-time golf fan, and a very much unprofessional player, the Open Championship is something I have enjoyed for a number of years.

So it's fair to say that it was pretty surreal to have the opportunity to be part of the event this year, as it takes place right here in Ayrshire.

While I have attended in the past as a spectator, it truly was an unforgettable experience being able to cover the event professionally for the first time.

Being part of the press pack at Royal Troon had its perks of course, with increased access to some areas and a nice sweetener in the form of a welcome pack and some food to keep me fuelled.

But for most of the day, I was there as a regular fan, watching the best players in the world battle it out on links similar to those I play myself.

I tried and tested a few 'tactics' for taking in the action, so I could give my honest opinion about attending the Open, rather than watching on TV.

Rory McIlroy plays from the rough on the 10th. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Big names - and big crowds

I started by following some of the earlier featured groups, with the likes of Robert MacIntyre, John Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy amongst the earlier starters.

But it wasn't long before I realised just how much of a challenge this would be: for Rory in particular, the crowd who followed for every one of his 18 holes was remarkable, and it was hard to get a proper glimpse of the former Open champion in action.

I enjoyed watching the home crowd get behind recently crowned Scottish Open champion, known to all as 'Bob', but again, it is hard to follow closely when so many are looking to do the same.

So I opted for a change of tactic, camping out at a few holes where I could get myself a closer look as the world's top talents tackled Troon.

Behind the 16th green, I managed to catch Ayrshire hopeful Jack McDonald, who battled his way into the tournament through the various qualifying stages.

Ayrshire's own Jack McDonald was in the very first group of the day, playing alongside two former Open champions in Todd Hamilton and Justin Leonard. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

And it was great to see the Kilmarnock Barassie pro rewarded in a group with two former Open champions, Justin Leonard and Todd Hamilton - even if I wouldn't have thanked organisers for the very first, and very early, tee off time.

Stamp of approval

I then headed to one of the most famous holes in golf, the Postage Stamp - that par three of 120-odd yards that has been the downfall of many a golfer over the years.

I was lucky to get a place in the grandstand behind the tee, in one of the spaces reserved for media amid queues of general spectators a mile long - the only place to get a proper glimpse of one of Troon's most testing holes.

I was very much expecting to see fireworks. But even the Postage Stamp can be licked when the world's best golfers are in town, and MacIntyre, Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood all hit the green; Fleetwood and Rahm would birdie, with the Scotsman then lipping out to make it a hat-trick of twos.

Packed grandstands, and a grandstand seat from a passing plane, at the eighth green - the Postage Stamp. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

The last time the Open came to Troon, Henrik Stenson won with a record-breaking score of 20 under par, with the Swede making a mockery of the challenging Ayrshire links, and after watching MacIntyre, Rahm and Fleetwood tame the eighth, I began to wonder if Stenson's record might be under threat.

But then, with the wind picking up, Troon really started to show its teeth.

Of the following half a dozen or so groups I watched, more than half of players didn't manage to hit the minuscule, undulating eighth green - and that's what the Postage Stamp is all about.

There was not another birdie to be seen, and I watched in amazement as Rory McIlroy made the first of his two double bogeys in Thursday's round as he fell victim to the right greenside bunker.

Bryson DeChambeau plays from the seventh fairway. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Front row seat

At this stage, I must also thank Bryson DeChambeau, who I was really hoping to see more of. I'm a big fan, but I was starting to worry that I wouldn't find the time to catch him on his opening round.

So it was a welcome boost - for me, if not for him - when he carved his drive from the 10th tee into the bottom of the Postage Stamp grandstand, giving me a near front row seat for what would turn out to be an impressive recovery shot.

The double US Open champion was one of many to struggle here in Ayrshire, despite what us locals call a mild summer's day, though I was afforded a prime position for the one shining light in an otherwise underwhelming round for the 30-year-old.

After my time at the eighth I headed back to the 16th, where I'd enjoy some of the most memorable moments of my day.

Watching the same marquee groups once more, I came within yards of MacIntyre, who was unlucky to see his second shot at the par five kick on and into the gallery, about three yards behind.

Robert MacIntyre followed up his Scottish Open triumph with a one-over-par 72 on his opening round at Royal Troon. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

It really is a unique experience to have one of the world's most in-form golfers ask that your large frame be moved further back so he could actually see his intended target.

I also had the pleasure of watching DeChambeau tramline a 40-50 foot eagle putt as the maverick American managed to claw his way back from a dreadful start to the Championship on his way to a five-over round of 76 - exactly the same as the one posted by Jack McDonald at the start of the day, demonstrating just how much of a leveller those Royal Troon links can be.

(McDonald, incidentally, carded a five-over-par 76: perhaps not what he was hoping for from his first day, but significantly better than the two former champions who he played alongside, with Leonard recording an opening round of 80 and Hamilton struggling to a score of 82.)

Tiger, Tiger

And then I managed to catch a glimpse of a little-known American golfer who was beginning his round a few holes away.

Not sure if you might have heard of him, but he could be one to watch out for in the future: his name is Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods still attracts huge crowds wherever he plays, and it's no different at the Open, despite his opening round of 79. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Seriously, though, while many watching on TV may be a little sick of seeing the coverage given to someone who may no longer be at the peak of his powers, watching one of the greatest golfers of all time play in the flesh really is something else if you're any kind of golf fan.

I wrapped the day up with a brief trip to the media platform behind the 18th green, taking the time to marvel in the setting that surrounded me.

Not only did I have the perfect seat for some impressive golf on the final hole, seeing the iconic set up of scoreboards and grandstands really does make it sink in that I am in a truly fortunate position.

An unforgettable experience

Overall, would I say the viewing experience actually at the event is better than TV? Of course it isn't: TV cameras are front and centre at hundreds of locations, you simply cannot match that.

But as a fan, there were some memories today that will live with me for the rest of my life, something I would never have got from watching the game on TV.

Santiago de la Fuente of Spain found the links of Ayrshire a tough challenge as he completed his opening round of 78. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

From watching Bob MacIntyre chip from only feet away, to me making a comment after Rory McIlory said the left-to-right wind on the back nine was challenging in his press conference - saying that as a 15 handicapper who plays with a slice I feel his pain - only to realise he was merely metres away (not that he heard, or cared), is quite the story.

A day at the Open is long, and it's tiring, but for me, it was also something that was very worthwhile.

Who knows how many chances you will get to watch such an event so close to home? Take it while you can, and bug everyone you know with stories about it afterwards. I know I will.

I was privileged to be one of the hundreds of media at Troon on Thursday, but I won't apologise for being in the fortunate position.

It was my first experience as an Ayrshire lad of being part of the press pack as the Open came more or less to my doorstep, and it may be my last, but it is one I will not forget any time soon.

* Keep up to date with all the latest action from Royal Troon at TheOpen.com.