Andy Murray hopes to play in The Open one day and judging by his performance on the links this week, he could well go on and win it!
Tennis legend Murray has been starring at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, teaming up with former British Masters champion Eddie Pepperell for the popular pro-am event.
Murray has only being playing golf for 18 months or so but is already playing off a handicap of just three.
He has shown a natural talent for the sport and has been playing non-stop this year in an attempt to improve quickly.
Murray has been brilliant in Scotland, with his putting display catching the eye especially.
And he delivered another highlight on Sunday, draining a putt from all of 80 feet on the 13th hole at the Old Course in St Andrews.
Despite the windy conditions in Fife, Murray got his line and pace spot on to make an unlucky but spectacular birdie.
It’s just one of many fine putts that Murray has holed over the past few days and it would suggest he could do well in Open Qualifying should he decide to take part next year.
The three-time tennis major winner spoke about the idea of trying to make The Open earlier this week.
He said: “A couple of my friends who are very good golfers have done it. If I can improve enough, I think it would be a fun thing to do. I played in the club championships at Beaverbrook a few months ago and I loved it.
“It was the most fun I’d had playing golf and the more I play, the less I enjoy just playing socially. I don’t know if I’ll be capable of entering, but I want to try and play in a few more events.
“I’ve been pretty amazed at how willing the pros are to help because spending five hours with people who are hacking it around probably isn’t that enjoyable.”
While Murray’s putting has been superb this week, the Scot may need to work on his bunker technique.
Amid brutal weather conditions in Scotland on Friday, Murray suffered a moment to forget.
He found a sand trap on the fourth hole at Kingsbarns and as the 38-year-old looked to flop it out, he completely sliced his effort, scuffing the ball just a few inches further into the bunker.
It left the tennis legend a little red faced but he saw the funny side, dropping his head to his knees with a wry smile.
Murray will no doubt be back on the course next week to work on his bunker play.
And he has revealed that due to the considerable time he’s dedicating to golf, his children now believe he has become a professional in another sport.
He added: “My kids think I’m a golfer. They say, ‘Daddy, why do you play every day?’ I didn’t really play for 12 years because I had a back operation in my mid-twenties and I was sore when I practised.
“Thankfully, it’s been pretty good since I finished – I think tennis was the main issue – and I just really enjoy it.
“I guess it has filled a bit of a void. It is something to practise and get better at and there are so many different parts of the game you can work on, and I don’t find that boring.”
While Murray has impressed among the amateur ranks at the Dunhill Links, Europe’s Ryder Cup stars have been on full show in the pro event.
Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton have both enjoyed brilliant weeks fresh from starring at Bethpage Black last week.
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