We've all dreamt of walking up the 18th fairway at an Open Championship, soaking up the cheers of the packed grandstands.

Unfortunately it is an experience very few of us are ever likely to enjoy.

But Preston student Natalie Butler has and although she has had to carry a scoreboard around the course to do so, who wouldn't want the vicarious thrill of that walk up eighteen?

Well, Natalie wasn't too keen herself on Thursday morning when the incessant rain and cold temperatures left her a shivering wreck.

The white boiler suit uniform is not waterproofed and updating the scoreboard, never mind carrying it in high wind, is no laughing matter with frozen fingers.

There are compensations, of course - like having walked an Open course with Tiger Woods on not one, but two, occasions.

She also once forced herself out of bed at four in the morning in order to follow Tiger on a practice round, an effort that led to her befriending Woods' security team.

Asked to name the friendliest golfer she has trod the fairways with, Natalie doesn't hesitate.

"Thomas Levet of France," she said. "He's a really nice man - he never stopped laughing and he was really grateful for the work of the volunteers."

This is Natalie's fifth Open since she was introduced to the event by her father and in addition to the opportunity to witness the world's best golfers at close quarters, she also looks forward to the social scene at every venue.

"It's my favourite week of the year," she said. "I've made so many friends and I wouldn't miss it for the world."