However that’s okay. A 74 may not be every part he wished, however the 1999 champion has already a lot to have a good time this week.
Paul Lawrie’s begin and end of his first spherical within the a hundred and fiftieth Open will stay lengthy within the reminiscence. The bit within the center, not a lot.
Hitting the primary shot of the championship for a second time with a yellow ball – “my eyesight’s not nearly as good at 53 because it was at 23” – was a spotlight. Ever modest, Paul didn’t count on to see an almost full stand of followers at 6.35 am to greet him.
However they gave a him a rousing send-off, and extra have been there to see him 4 hours later nearly gap out his tee-shot on 18, hitting a driver to 5 toes and holing it for eagle.
“I fancy my possibilities hitting that fairway even with a 3-iron,” he joked. I didn’t really feel dangerous this morning, nerves-wise.
“I used to be shocked how many individuals have been there, to be trustworthy. I wasn’t anticipating that. I assumed there can be a couple of, however the stand on the appropriate was fairly full.
“Good to see all of the folks. You at all times get nice assist right here, don’t you. It’s at all times cool.
“It’s only a good factor to be requested to do. Clearly, Mr. Slumbers phoned me a pair weeks in the past and requested if I’d do it. And the very first thing you consider is how cool is that, being requested to do this? So it’s beautiful.”
In a single respect Paul’s drive at 18 was indicative of what many had feared on the Outdated Course. Taking part in companions Webb Simpson and Min Woo Lee have been “in between 3-woods and 3-irons” and in addition hit the inexperienced comfortably.
“That’s nonetheless full driver for me, but it surely exhibits you these days,” he stated. “The sport, it’s loopy the way it’s going.
“Even with a flat-out driver, it wants a bounce to stand up there, which it did. I hit a beautiful shot. It was about 5 toes and knocked it in.”
Paul anticipated to see some difficult pins – he singled out the 4th, eighth and eleventh as spots he hadn’t seen earlier than.
“I assumed two-over was harsh as we speak,” he stated. “I assumed I performed somewhat higher than that, I didn’t do a lot unsuitable.
