Cookridge Hall's Gary Day swaps bag-carrying duties for the real thing when he tees off in the Open Championship at Hoylake later today.

Day, who was professional at the Drighlington-based Manor between 1999 and 2001, has caddied three times in the Major tournament.

But he will compete for the first time as a player after qualifying in record-breaking style last week.

And though his experience as caddy - in 1992 and 1994 at Muirfield and Turnberry for amateur Steven Pullen and in 1998 for Yorkshire Ryder Cup player Howard Clark at Birkdale - gave him an insight into what its like to be involved in golf's most prestigious tournament, he knows that playing in it will be a completely different ball game.

"Being a caddy there was fantastic," said Day, pictured below, who qualified with fellow Yorkshire-based player Danny Denison after posting a course-record 67 at Wallasey in the Wirral.

"But you couldn't get two worlds further apart. It is totally different. As caddy, you just go and do your job. But when it's you that's hitting the shots, I imagine it's a little bit more taxing! But it should be a nice experience."

For a player who admits his tournament career has been in its "winding down" stage, his elevation to compete alongside the world's greatest stars has come out of the blue.

Apart from the odd appearance on the Asian and Challenge Tours, Day's competitive experience is limited to the northern PGA circuit, where most of his success came as an assistant professional. Much of his focus is now directed towards corporate golf at his Cookridge base.

His sudden thrust into the limelight means he is not expected to make the cut, which Day hopes will take the pressure off him.

"The odds are totally stacked against me," he admitted.

"It means I am in a no-lose situation and if I can handle that and keep my game intact, I know full well I am capable of shooting good scores."

Day, whose practice partners prior to today's first round included former champion Ben Curtis and big-hitting Angel Carbrerra, has been overwhelmed by the support he has received.

He has had messages from well-wishers at The Manor, while two coachloads of Cookridge members are travelling to Hoylake.

"My inbox on my mobile is at 123 messages since I qualified and I've had about 60 voice mails. I've had huge support from all over West Yorkshire," said Day, who originally comes from the West Midlands.

"I just hope I can give them something to savour."

He is among the third to last group out at 3.59pm this afternoon along with American Bruce Vaughan and Paraguay's Marco Ruiz.

Thankfully, he won't have to spend time waiting in a hotel room as former Cookridge captain Gary Proctor has lent him his house just down the road from Hoylake.