Now Ian goes black and white

Having already worn the flag for Great Britain, Ian Poulter today appeared in full knickerbocker glory for the second round of the Open Championship.

Once again, Poulter made fashion the topic of debate as he appeared on the first tee dressed in a new take on one of golf 's most traditional of attires, the plus four.

His white plus fours seemed to have been tailored from parachute silk and were buckled at the calf just above a pair of chequered black and white socks which themselves were tucked into a pair of black and white shoes bearing the badge of Arsenal, Poulter's favourite football club.

The ensemble was topped by a black turtle-neck sweater and a cap worn back to front.

It was, if anything, slightly more restrained than Poulter's first round fashion outrage of a pair of slacks cut from a red, white and blue Union flag. That had the members of Royal Troon, one of Scotland's most elite clubs, choking over the G and T's.

Arthur Dunsmuir, the club captain, said: "There is no specific rule regarding the banning of that style of trousers.

"However, we wouldn't wish to encourage that type of attire."

Poulter, who resumed on level par five shots behind Paul Casey and Frenchman Thomas Levet, was unrepentant.

He said: "There are too many boring characters out there. Wearing black or khaki trousers is boring. This is the way I am."

Following The Open, Poulter will auction his wardrobe for good causes.