Recalling the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale

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Recollections from the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale

In 2017, during the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, which is also notable for Jordan Spieth's win, I achieved one of my best major finishes. I remember shooting a 63 on Sunday, which spectacularly elevated me to a third-place finish. This was a significant moment, coming just two years after playing at the Shanghai WGC.

That week at the Open was a mix of emotions and challenges. Initially feeling underprepared and overwhelmed, I even thought about withdrawing before the tournament started. It was only my second major, and on that Tuesday, I felt completely off my game to the point of wanting to leave. However, my coach, Jamie Goff, supported me through these doubts. My performance gradually improved, and by Sunday, everything started to click, and I began making significant putts.

An interesting anecdote from that Sunday involves playing alongside Ernie Els, who provided much-needed encouragement throughout the day. After finishing, I was ready to head straight to the airport for my next event, but officials from the R&A advised me to wait due to impending bad weather that might affect the final results. This forecast did not materialize, and despite the tension, Jordan Spieth ended up performing exceptionally, securing his victory.

Looking back, that experience at the Open Championship felt more integral to my growth as it was one of the few times I competed among the elite from start to finish. This reflection brings a deeper appreciation for the complexities and unexpected turns in major tournaments.