If you’re going to get hit by a ball - it may as well be Dustin Johnson’s

If you're going to get hit on the cheekbone by a golf ball, it might as well be by the world number one at the Open Championship.

The first thing I knew about Dustin Johnson’s TaylorMade coming in to the right of the ninth green during the second round was when it struck. Funnily, I heard the sound of the impact before feeling any pain.

I got many a belt in my old hurling days with St Monica’s but at least there was headgear for protection . . . . anyway, apart from the slight cut and the minor swelling, the good news - following a head injury assessment by the medical team in the medical centre - is that there is no serious damage.

Philip Reid, still all smiles despite the cut on his cheek bone.

And my head being in the wrong place at the right time did prevent DJ’s ball from plunging like a missile into a gorse bush by the ninth green which would have brought a double bogey or worse into the equation. So, if Johnson does go on to win the Claret Jug, maybe that will be as important as any shot!