There is something about the first tee shot at The Open. Anticipation binds us. The precipice has been reached, we are all looking over in the edge in eager anticipation.
For all of those at The 151st Open at Hoylake two years ago, it all led up to this. Entry forms completed back in May, stands erected, greens shaved, qualifying ticked off for 156 fortunate souls.
Tickets bought, hospitality accepted, marshalls briefed, glad-handing concluded. The real business began right there, right now on a murky Mersey morning.
Leading us off, with The Open 1st tee shot, was a 27-year-old Hoylake native who has played that links since the age of seven and secured his place at The Open in final qualifying just up the coast at West Lancashire.
Do not, though, confuse Matthew Jordan with a plucky, have a go hero. He was a golfer with considerable pedigree. A member of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 2017 – the same year which he won the St Andrews Trophy. He claimed another prestigious amateur prize in the Lytham Trophy the following year.
He was joined on the 1st tee at 6.35 am by Branden Grace, Richie Ramsey, and hundreds – if not thousands – of fans. A broad church of a gallery, long socks and plummy accents mixed with scouse brogue, as the Wirral came out in force to watch their boy become a major man.
The 1st tee grandstand was full long before go time, some hung off the neighbouring 18th grandstand, many lined the 1st. All hoping for an MJ Thriller.
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The Open first tee shot: An experience to remember
Jordan had hit this tee shot more than any in the field. Yet there is something about the start. Any golfer can speak of 1st tee nerves, a bounce game, the monthly medal, the feels are much the same.
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You have swung and hit a million times before, yet on each renewal the familiar feels distant. Swollen hands, a dry throat, a elevated heart rate, danger everywhere.
For Matthew with his world in attendance, and the wider world watching on, these feelings arrived in spades.
Ivor Robson no longer calls the players up, but his familiar ‘on the tee’ is still what I hear. A phone rings and the start is false. A reset and we are underway. A solid contact, slightly left, relief.
Jordan made a gutsy par and soon after was be in red numbers. Our first open roar arrived with his birdie at the 2nd. There is something about the start.
It was a long week, and who knew that the home town hero would finish tied for 10th among the stars.
He conquered those nerves, started and briefly led the biggest golf event on the planet in front of his oldest and newest fans alike. It was a pleasure to witness.
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