Compiled by Philip Reid

Cabrera-Bello enjoys limelight

COULD we have another Michael Campbell? Spain’s Rafael Cabrera -Bello, who took the international qualifying route through Walton Heath to book his place in the US Open, couldn’t help himself from looking at the leaderboards around the course to see his own name.

“I couldn’t help it, I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘what’s going on right here? What am I doing up there?” said the 26-year-old from the Canary Islands, who is competing in his first major.

Cabrera-Bello had birdied four of his last seven holes in qualifying and made the most of his ticket to Pebble Beach by opening with a one under par 70, that gave him the early clubhouse lead.

What surprised him more than anything, though, was the fact that there were spectators on the 10th tee, his first. First out, Cabrera- Bello had thought no-one would have ventured out to the far end of the course.

“There were a few spectators, but I I don’t think they were there to see me . . . . I told myself just to enjoy, to stay calm and try and play as if it were any other round.”

Fifth worth its weight in gold

THE Par 3 fifth hole is reputed to be the most expensive hole in championship golf. It was rebuilt and redesigned back in 1998 by Jack Nicklaus at a cost of $3 million.

The hole is located on the Pacific coastline on a 50-foot cliff.

Canny McLean texts his advice

MODERN-DAY swing coaches don’t always have to be with their players at tournaments to pass on tips.

Take Jim McLean, one of the most respected in the game. Sure, he’s here at Pebble Beach, where he has double heart transplant Erik Compton and Jon Curran to look after – but McLean is also keeping an eye on newly turned woman professional Alexis Thompson, one of the stars of the US’s Curtis Cup win last weekend, who is making her debut in the LPGA Classic on in Maryland this week.

McLean has been keeping in touch with his 15-year-old pupil not by video, but by using text messaging.