All that glitters is not gold, it would seem, judging by Ian Poulter's latest alarming deployment of his dress sense.

Poulter is well known for dressing bizarrely, but yesterday's strange ensemble proved the high point of his three-over 75.

A white glittery shirt, festooned around the shoulders with the colours of the Union Jack, complete with matching red pantaloons, and yet more glitter in the unmistakable form of a Claret Jug trickling down each leg.

Playing partner Seve Ball-esteros managed to beat Poulter by a shot, thanks to a masterclass in the short game. But, in terms of teaching Poulter a few lessons, it would have been even more helpful if he had passed over the number of a new tailor.

"He looks to me like a Spanish matador," said Seve. "But he really should not be in red, because the bull always goes for the red."

Seve's return to form, to shoot 74 - a near miraculous score, given the state of his back - brought smiles all around the course.

None more so than from Paul Broadhurst's caddie, Paul Smith.

Broady was playing in the game behind Seve and it was Smith who proved to be the biggest admirer.

When he walked off the 18th and into the inter-viewing area to see Seve still in full flow, talking ten to the dozen he quipped: "I'm not surprised he's still talking. That's got to be the ******** round of the day. Fantastic stuff."

Much has been made of Paul Broadhurst being the last professional golfer to win here, when he won the European Pro Celebrity in 1991.

But there are two others in the field who have also won at Hoylake, as amateurs.

Ernie Els's win came in 1998 in the Tillman Trophy, in a competition that Broadhurst also played in, prior to him turning pro later that year. And, in 2000, Mikko Ilonen, from Finland, the land of midnight golf, won the Amateur Championship here.

But it is Els's victory that is perhaps best remembered - if only for the picture in the clubhouse.

"Blimey," said Broadhurst. "You should see it. He was 19 then but he looks about 16, and he's all skin and bone.

"I have to say though, I'm a bit surprised they haven't got one up of me for my win in the Pro Celebrity, when I was a bit thinner too."

Doubts were cast on the choice of Royal Liverpool as an Open venue.

But, so far, the decision to return to this forgotten corner of Merseyside has proved nothing but a success.

The traffic flow has been bearable, as long as you don't stick to the signs and come off the M53 at Junction 2. And the attendances have been up on last year's event at St Andrews - 38,500 yesterday, a small improvement on last year and 51,000 for the practice days (a rise of 10,000 on last year).

But the best result of the week came last night when I got back to my car...and it was still there!