Immelman overjoyed with performance
South African youngster Trevor Immelman was understandably delighted after carding a first-day 68 at the Open on Thursday - his best ever round in the championship.
Immelman’s four-under par total was only the second time that the 25-year-old has managed to break the 70-barrier in what is his fourth Open outing, and has left him within two strokes of clubhouse leader and world number one Tiger Woods.
Immelman’s effort was even more impressive considering the deteriorating conditions he had to play under at St Andrews, conditions that forced playing partner and former Masters champion Phil Mickelson to record a two-over par 74.
Immelman said: “I’m extremely pleased with the way I played today because I went out there and hit some great shots and more importantly holed some good putts at the right times.
“All in all I’m extremely happy, I’ve been looking forward to this event all year.”
With regards to the weather, Immelman admitted the best policy was just to get on with it.
“You never know what you are going to get with this championship,” he said.
“I played a few amateur championships here at St Andrews and I have been a seasoned player on the European Tour, so we have seen our fair share of this weather, especially when we have been up here playing the Dunhill.
“So you just have to deal with it and try your best.”
Immelman won two tournaments last year but has yet to get off the mark this season, something that could be down to changes he has been making with his swing.
However, he has proved he has what it takes to perform at the highest level after finishing an impressive fifth at this year’s Masters – a tournament in which he recorded a hole in one.
Immelman would relish a similar result at the Open, but admits he is taking it one step at a time.
“The strategy is to take as few strokes as I possibly can and see what happens,” he said.
“Tiger obviously played a fantastic round and he seems to be firing and that is exactly what we can expect from him.
“But I can’t worry about any of that stuff and all I can do is play as well as I can and see where it takes me.”
| Related Stories: |
|
