Andy Jenks from Shrewsbury travels all over the country watching sport, but his annual trip to the Open Championship remains the highlight of the year.

"No question," he told me, "it's got a great atmosphere, but being in Scotland always seems to make it that little bit more special."

Not everyone would have described Carnoustie at nine o'clock this Thursday morning as special.

Sat in the stand behind the second green, it was freezing cold, his waterproof clothing was soaked through and his hands were being warmed by a hot bacon roll.

Only the most dedicated can appreciate that sort of "atmosphere".

Andy is staying in a small hotel near Gleneagles this week with friends. It's a nice place and a step up from some of the Open accommodation he has enjoyed in the past.

"One year we spent the night in a caravan parked behind a fish and chip shop," Andy laughed. "Another year we stayed with a lady in St Andrew's. I had her son's bed. Unfortunately I'm six feet tall and the bed was only five feet long."

Like most Open diehards, Andy knows that certain spots on the course offer more viewing opportunities than others and our current location took some beating.

Having watched Carl Pettersson hole a long birdie putt on the second green, we turned our heads to watch David Howell slice his drive down the sixth before returning to Pettersson as he struck a solid rescue club off the third tee.

At which point I moved off, needing a walk to warm my blood.

I left Andy peering down the fairway, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Tiger Woods.