Matt Baldwin, a Royal Birkdale member from Southport, admitted he had never felt nerves like he did when waiting to hit the opening tee shot at The 154th Open Championship. The 40-year-old was given the honour of starting the tournament on his home course early Thursday morning at 6.35am.
A dream start for the local hero
Baldwin, who describes himself as 'Southport through and through,' received a rapturous welcome from the early-morning crowd. “It was an incredible feeling. It was terrifying. It was overwhelming. But it's something that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” he said. “I'm not even sure I lifted my head, if I'm honest. I remember waving at a couple of people, but at the end of the day, your focus is obviously hitting the golf shot, isn't it?”
His early start required a 3.30am alarm, meaning he missed most of England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina. “I didn't watch it. I had it on quiet in bed, dozing. I remember waking up at 55 minutes and saw that England had scored and fell back asleep, and then I woke up again at probably midnight and my wife told me they had lost,” Baldwin revealed.
Baldwin's round and course conditions
Making his first major appearance since 2019 after coming through final qualifying, Baldwin finished his opening round two-over par. “I played nice. I played a little bit in and out. Didn't putt amazing but then had a little period where I holed some putts as well, so it was a bit of a strange round, really,” he said. “I think if I can tighten some things up, I could have a good day out there tomorrow. I think anyone who goes out and has a good day with the putter will have a good day for sure.”
Baldwin noted that the course conditions caught him off guard. “It's obviously a lot drier and a lot faster. Caught me by surprise in places, the speed of the greens and stuff. I mean, as members, I'd say the rough is thinner now than it would be for the members. However, it's obviously been a really dry period. But I think it plays a little bit wider, as well. They've brought it in, dried it out. Yeah, I think it's incredible,” he added.
Reflecting on specific challenges, Baldwin said: “Just a couple of putts (caught me out). 7, for example, I had about 28 feet up the hill, and I hit it 12-foot by and it was into the wind and was a bit shocked how quick it was, to be fair. Same again on 10, which was back down the hill but into the wind. And then 16, I three-putted that, but I was a long way away. So I kind of forgive myself for that one.”
A memorable experience
Despite the nerves and early start, Baldwin cherished the moment. “There's time to wave at people after, I guess. Yeah, it was amazing. I couldn't have asked for more, support-wise. It took me back, to be honest,” he said. The 154th Open Championship continues at Royal Birkdale, with the world's best golfers competing for the Claret Jug.
