Port Royal heats up on PGA Grand Slam Day One

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17: Rory McIlroy, Charl Schwartzel, Darren Clarke and Keegan Bradley played a round at Port Royal today to thunderous applause.

Well, actually it was more of a slow golf clap and a few oohs and ahhhs.

But it was obvious the crowd was very excited for Day One of the PGA Grand Slam in Bermuda. From senior citizens to students skipping school, hundreds walked the course to watch their favourite golfers play against local dignitaries and celebrities.

When my boss told me a week ago that I'd have to 'cover' the PGA, fear coursed through my body. All I knew about golf was that it involved a ball, a stick and some holes.

Apparently that wasn't enough of an excuse to avoid the event altogether, and after some frantic moments on Google and a few visits to Wikipedia's golf page I felt ready.

I wasn't.

No one told me how hot it would be. All the smart golfers and spectators had hats or umbrellas. There is no shade on this golf course, and apparently you're not allowed to cool down in the water hazards.

Blazing sun aside, for anyone that hasn't been to Port Royal (today was my first time since they renovated it), the course actually is breathtaking. And not just for golfers.

It has beautiful south shore ocean views, amazing bunkers and water features. Even the rolling hills are spectacular - until you have to walk up and down them several times.

Leg cramps aside, following the pros around the course was entertaining - and educational - even if you don't know the difference between a birdie and an eagle. Or is it egret?

Port Royal's much longer than it looks from the road. It took me hours to find each golfer (I swear Schwartzel was hiding from me), but luckily most of the course marshals were able to helpfully point out the right direction.

The clear favourite of this year's PGA is 23-year-old McIlroy. He had nearly twice as many spectators following him as any of the other competitors. And everyone seemed to know his name, even if they pronounced it wrong.

I was lucky enough to catch a ride in a taxi with local golfer Clevie Tucker this morning, and he had one piece of advice for attending the event: "When somebody's playing a shot, be quiet."

Sadly, a couple of older ladies standing next to me didn't get that memo, even after the marshal put her hands up. Either way, it didn't seem to bother the golfers much.

I don't know what it will be like tomorrow when the serious game starts, but today everyone seemed to be having fun. All the pros signed autographs, and were interacting with the crowd as they walked from hole to hole.

Even after the Pro-Am ended Schwartzel and Bradley signed autographs for eager kids - and adults.

Another amazing part of the PGA was the work that must go into the event - all of the caddies, volunteers and security seemed amazingly well organised, helpful and far more informed than I was about the game. Even the ladies running the concession cart helped me find my way more than once.

After the Pro-Am, McIlroy described Port Royal as a "short course". My aching legs and feet disagree.