The one-time Wild Thing has become a cuddlesome devotee of European chocolate. But John Daly, the 1995 champion at St Andrews, also expressed great admiration yesterday for a British Open links that he will be attempting to play "the way the holes are made."

Unlike the freedom afforded him on the Old Course, it will mean hitting a two or maybe a three-iron off the tee at the vast majority of the driving holes. Unless of course he loses his patience, like he did in the recent US Open at the Olympic Club.

"If the wind blows like it is now, it will be very hard to get up and hit driver," he said. "There's just no room for error." And to illustrate the point, he explained how the 449-yard first had become a three-iron and a six-iron; how the 421-yard second, into the wind, was a driver and six-iron and how the 480-yard sixth was two two-irons. Then there was the 457-yard eighth which he reduced to a two-iron and sandwedge.

But he seemed happier talking about other things. Like the way his generous girth was helping his swing. "My right arm hugs this fat belly right here, which means it never gets out of place," he explained. "When I lose weight, it flies all over the place."

He went on: "Since March, I think I've lost 20lbs. I was up to 247lbs (17st 9lbs) and I'm now down to around 220. Another 20lbs off would be real nice but I'm not trying to lose weight or anything."

It became an entirely superfluous comment when he went on to outline his current diet. "Burgers, pizza, steak and any chocolate I can get my hands on," he said. "For people who don't know, if you're an alcoholic like I am, you crave sugar when you quit drinking. And Europe has the greatest chocolate in the world, man. It's too cold to eat ice cream." Other matters which came up for discussion were his obvious pleasure at getting back with his wife two months ago and his state of mind when capturing the 1995 Open. "It was a great win but I was miserable in myself, trying to find reasons why I should be drinking," he said.

With that sort of candour, it's small wonder his popularity is undimmed, even if St Andrews was his last tournament victory.

While the young pretenders are lining up to assume his throne, Nick Faldo - despite enduring his worst season in over 20 years as a professional - was quite offended at the news that the bookies have priced him as a 50 to 1 outsider. "I still have a major in me, that's a good chance for a few punters to make some bucks," insisted the three-time British Open champion.

Faldo's star has fallen at the same time as Lee Westwood's has risen, but the Englishman, with his "tennis elbow" ailment mended, remained bullish about his prospects.

"I'm pleasantly surprised at how well I've recovered," he said. "The injury has actually helped me in a way because my tempo was off and I've now got to concentrate on a smoother rhythm. I'm going smoother on everything, from the putter right the way through the bag."