Matthew Baldwin got his US Open Championship debut off to a highly encouraging start with a round of 74 on a day which he will treasure for the rest of his life.
Three birdies, five bogeys and one double bogey made for a mixed bag, but the 26 year old Englishman walked off the course beaming after his first taste of life at a Major Championship.
“It was amazing, never in my life have I seen so many people on a golf course – although it may have had something to do with Tiger playing two groups behind,” said the Challenge Tour graduate.
“I made a few mistakes out there, went for a pin I shouldn’t have and ended up making a double bogey. But you can’t put a price on that sort of experience, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
“It can be quite intimidating at times, but it was just an unbelievable experience. I said to my caddie, you can’t be upset for more than about five seconds, because every cheer you hear lifts your spirits. The course is set up like nothing I’ve ever played – if you miss the fairway you have to take a wedge to get back in play. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Baldwin booked his place at the Olympic Club with a birdie at the first hole of a five-man play-off at the US Open Championship Sectional Qualifier, held at Walton Heath Golf Club last month.
And the experience has certainly lived up to his expectations.
He said: “They treat you like royalty here. The amount of people wishing you luck, asking for your autograph and just being nice to you is great. I would’ve enjoyed the day anyway, but it helped that I played well. Hopefully I’ve given myself a chance of making the cut, because I’d love to stick around for the weekend.”
Another man making his Major debut in San Francisco this week is Scotland’s Marc Warren, who opened with a highly creditable round of 73.
Like Baldwin, Warren came through last month’s Sectional Qualifier, finishing joint top alongside Sweden’s Alex Noren.
An opening birdie on the ninth hole was the perfect way to start his quest to emulate the achievements of New Zealand’s Michael Campbell, who won the 2005 US Open Championship at Pinehurst after qualifying at Walton Heath.
Four bogeys on Warren’s back nine undid some of the hard work, but the 31 year old was nonetheless delighted to have put some of his supposed superiors in the shade.
He said: “It was everything I expected and more. It was a rollercoaster ride, I hit some good shots which brought me rewards, and bad shots which got punished. The course is very firm, which brings its own challenges. There aren’t really any European Tour events which can prepare you for how tough this is, hence why they call it the toughest test in golf.
“My bogey on the first hole was definitely in the ‘good bogey’ category, because I holed a ten-footer after a poor tee shot. So I actually gave myself a little pat on the back after that, which sounds a bit strange, but it’s that type of place, and that type of tournament.
“It’s a fair test though. You have to shape your tee shots accordingly, and you can’t afford to get too aggressive with your iron shots – even from the fairway – or with your putts. So it’s a steep learning curve, but I’m loving every minute of it.”
