autograph

Flintoff, who has also been tipped a future England head coach, was regularly the most popular request for fans hunting autographs and pictures after matches in Leeds.

After all, the stereotypical junkie probably wouldn’t turn a clinic’s waiting room into an autograph signing.

As at Whistling Straits four years ago, the visitors have been on a charm offensive, signing thousands of autographs and posing for selfies but they know the noise will be turned up come game day.

The stand was around one-quarter full, but the jeers seemed to drift aimlessly over Europe's number one as he cheerily waved back, before heading off down the fairway, obligingly signing autographs as he went.

“I loved him,” Baker said after asking Russell for an autograph.