Hazel Irvine why she’s so excited about the Open and how dissecting Sunday dinner could have meant a career change

Hazel Irvine answers our quick questions.

What was the last secret your husband discovered about you?

I never had a toy pram as child. I asked for a wheelbarrow instead and I pushed my dolly round the garden in that.

Has being a mum lived up to the billing?

It’s been more rewarding than I could ever have imagined.

Your job hasn’t meant missing out?

I’ve been lucky. I’ve been there for most of her firsts and I’ve only missed a few days of growth spurts.

Gary Lineker or Claire Balding?

I can’t choose, they’re my friends. I opened the Commonwealth Games with Gary and closed it with Claire.

Do you still support Dumbarton FC?

Yes, of course. I’ve shown my daughter where the stadium is and I’ll take her when she’s older.

You’ve played golf since you were 10. Could you have been a pro?

I was too hot-headed. So much so that I lost a few clubs when I was younger. There may be one of them behind the 18th at St Andrew’s.

What excites you about the Open this week?

Having seen him ripping Augusta apart at the Masters, I’m looking forward to seeing Jordan Spieth.

What else could you have done for a living?

I dissected the Sunday dinner chicken carcasses when I was little, so maybe I’d have made a good surgeon!

Sport seems to make headlines for the wrong reasons just now. Does that depress you?

No. We have to police it better but sport shows youngsters success is down to hard graft and team work.

You’ve 24 hours left to live. How do you spend the time?

In summer I’d spend the solstice on Ben Lomond. In winter, I’d go north to see the Northern Lights in a nice warm coat and full of wonder.

Hazel Irvine leads the BBC’s Open Championship TV coverage from Thursday.

Report by Paul Coia