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Andy Murray wowed the crowds at Carnoustie on the opening day of the Dunhill Links Championship, despite admitting he was ‘nervous’ ahead of his first round.
The Scot, who has spoken previously of his ambition to become a scratch golfer, impressed alongside Eddie Pepperell, with a team round of seven under par, as a mass of home fans cheered on the former tennis World No 1.
A chip over a bunker to around five feet and long putt to birdie the last were among the highlights, with Murray also out-driving Ryder Cup hero Tyrrell Hatton on occasion.
Murray, who was caddied by the brother of young tennis star Charlie Robertson, said he’d struck one of his best shots ever on the course in Angus, and said he’d now look to use the inclement weather to his advantage at Kingsbarns and St Andrews.
‘I shot 70 at Kingsbarns (in practice) and I had a putt for 68 on the last hole, which I went for.
'It lipped out and then I missed the one on the way back. So it was a bittersweet ending, but yes, that’s very much not my norm.
Andy Murray celebrates holing a putt on the final hole of his first round at Carnoustie
It was a celebration we'd seen before... but on the tennis courts during his fantastic career
‘I played particularly well and was probably a bit lucky as well, but it was perfect conditions too.
‘There was like zero wind at all, but I thought it was a beautiful course. I loved playing there. It was my first time there.’
In contrast, the weather over the coming days, is set to be far more testing, as Storm Amy blows into the UK. Murray, however, insists he will maximise the opportunity, and use it fully to his own advantage.
‘I’m used to that (the weather), I am from here, so that is playing to my advantage.
‘A lot of the other amateurs that are from elsewhere, from warmer climates, are complaining even about today. I’m like, what are you talking about? It’s a beautiful summer’s day for Scotland. It’s going to be fun.
‘It will obviously be more challenging if it’s windy, but it’s part of the fun of it.’
Reflecting on his opening day at Carnoustie, Murray said it had gone ‘pretty well’, but joked that it was clearly ‘different to playing weekend golf with your friends.
‘There’s obviously a lot going on and you...You want to make sure you’re not standing in the wrong place or doing the wrong thing and interrupting the pros who are here to play proper golf.
‘But Eddie (Pepperell) and Tyrrell (Hatton) were brilliant. They were very relaxed and chatted to us throughout the round, which helped and. Yes, it went pretty well.
Murray even outdrove Ryder Cup hero Tyrrell Hatton on occasion during the round
Murray has taken up golf since his retirement from tennis and is proving he's no slouch
‘I hit today one of the best shots I’ve ever hit between two trees.
‘I was in the rough. I’ve no idea. I had to slice it through the trees. Someone at my level, that could have been a disaster. It went through the trees. It was going towards the green and heard nothing from the crowd, so we just assumed it was in the bunker.
‘It was like 10, 12 feet from the hole. I was like, some sort of applause for that would have been nice. For me, that’s not a normal golf shot.
‘I got a good caddy as well. He’s been helping me a lot.
‘He’s a member here at Carnoustie, but I know his brother well. His brother is one of the best young tennis players from Scotland and I’ve done some training with him and stuff. He messaged me a few weeks ago when he saw I was playing and said, my brother has caddied for the last four years at Dunhill.
‘So I said, yeah, let’s do it. Charlie Robertson is the tennis player and Harry is the caddy.’
Murray, who’s playing in the competition for the first time, said the experience had felt different to his times on a tennis court, where ‘you’re confident in your ability’, but he maintained that playing in professional sport previously had helped steady the nerves.
‘I was nervous going out onto the first tee, but it’s obviously totally different to what we’ve experienced as tennis players because you get nervous playing tennis, but you’re confident in your ability.
'You come out here and you’ve got Tyrrell Hatton standing behind you. You feel a bit uncomfortable, but I do think that’s where having played professional sport and being in those environments helps a little bit.
‘There’s a few things you can do to help coping mechanisms, I guess, but I got it away okay on the first hole’
Murray is partnering pro golfer Eddie Pepperell at the Dunhill Links Championship
The two-time Wimbledon champion was one of several personalities who kicked off their campaigns at Carnoustie. Several other big names from the world of golf were also in attendance, including Scottish Ryder Cup hero, Bob MacIntyre.
‘I got the chance to play with him at Wentworth last year. I obviously follow him a lot. I obviously love my golf, so I watch him on the TV a lot.
‘I’m always cheering him on and he’s doing unbelievably well. He’s had some great results and come close to some big wins recently too, being part of the Ryder Cup team. He’s doing great and I’m sure he’ll keep going further.’
For his part, Murray admits he now wants to take part in more golf competitions, and make the most of the opportunity afforded him in the sport.
‘I want to try and play in more golf competitions.
‘I just think this event is so unique. You never get the opportunity to do this in any other sport, where the pros are playing properly. It’s a really cool experience and I feel really lucky that I get the chance to do it.’
