Trevor Immelman took his first-ever look at Royal Birkdale before speaking how Nick Faldo helped him cope with his new fame.

The 28-year-old South African, who captured his first major title at Augusta in April, said after viewing Royal Birkdale on Sunday : "Athletes prepare all their lives for what is going to happen on the course, but nobody really prepares you for what happens if you pull something like that off.

"It caught me out of the blue and I didn't handle it very well."

Faldo, compatriots Ernie Els and Retief Goosen and last year's Masters winner Zach Johnson, were among the people he consulted.

"I know there are no short cuts in sport and if I can pick the brains of somebody who's been through it - six times in Faldo's case, three in Ernie's - it can give you pointers."

On all the demands on his time he added: "It was six or seven weeks before it started easing off. It was quite an experience for me and something I was glad I did, but no way was I expecting it.

"I've had to learn really quickly. You can be top 20 in the world and you can come and go and nobody really bothers, but after the Masters it was taking me 15 minutes to get to the range to hit some balls and then the same getting back to the clubhouse."

Immelman planned an early arrival for The Open so he could try to get know Birkdale.

"A lot greener than I am used to and very difficult," he commented. "The main thing is that you drive the ball straight - if you don't you are not going to contend.

"I feel good. I've always said this is my favourite tournament. I love the history and the tradition."