THE 151ST OPEN

July 17, 2023

Matthew Jordan

Press Conference

STUART MOFFATT: Good afternoon, everyone. Delighted to be joined by Matthew Jordan in the interview room. Matthew, you're going to hit the first tee shot on Thursday; how much of an honour is that for you, particularly being a member of Royal Liverpool.

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, it's an amazing honour. I'm sure the first tee, no matter what was going to be special, but obviously to have this as a kid growing up, I used to wake up early, 6:30, and that was The Open commencing.

So I've got fond memories, so to have this honour is brilliant.

Q. What are your memories of the last two Opens here, because you were 10 and 18, so were you watching it? Were you with your family? Can you just describe the last few times?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, in '06 I think I was more bothered about getting signatures than anything else and kind of star struck. I remember seeing Tiger in '06 on the putting green, and I just could not approach him.

I think I saw him actually when it was in '14, as well, and I still couldn't approach him then. I have those memories.

But certainly when I was 18 I was kind of getting a bit better myself and had memories of -- I think Sergio hit one into the stands on 12 that came back when he was in contention. Obviously Rory walking down the last, I think the first time he had won The Open.

There's things that just keep coming back to me. The more I think about it, the more obviously that comes up. It was two different times, but certainly in '14 was kind of the more inspired Open for me because I can remember it more.

Q. When you were here watching it, did you think that it would be possible that one day you could play yourself in an Open here?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Right then I wasn't too sure. I think I had just finished school, and I wasn't actually too sure that this is what I was doing. I think I had a place at uni, but we took a gap year and then through then kind of golf took over.

Right then if I'm being honest I would have loved to have done it, but if I knew I was going to, I wasn't too sure.

I think once The Open happened and golf became the No. 1 thing, then that's what I always aspired to do. It's like, right, I've seen what I'd love to do. So that was always like in the back of my mind of yes, I really want to get there.

Q. Did you ever get the courage to approach Tiger?

MATTHEW JORDAN: No. No. As I said, he walked through the clubhouse in '14 on a Sunday trying to register and I just froze. And then again, as I say, in '06 he was on the putting green and I don't think I moved for 20 minutes.

He was my kind of hero, and being able to see him in the flesh and watching him do what he did, especially around your home course, was immense.

Q. In terms of the changes they've made here down the back, especially 17 and 18, what are your impressions of that?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, so my honest opinion, I've tried actually asking quite a few pros to see exactly what they feel, and for me personally the new hole requires the right weather.

I think if you're having 120 yards with no wind and it's soft, I think it's not going to create the drama that you guys probably want, that members probably want.

However, if we get a bit of wind into, I think you will see guys make 2 but they will still miss the green.

In terms of 18 bringing the out of bounds in, I think it's a lot better. I think it makes it a proper risk and reward hole. If you hit a good drive, you can go for it.

Then even bailing out on the left, it makes the lay-up a lot tougher because it's a bit longer now.

I think certainly from my opinion 18 especially has been a brilliant change.

Q. In terms of friends and family this week, how many tickets have you asked for and how many people do you have cheering you on?

MATTHEW JORDAN: A lot. I can't come up with a number, but once I qualified, so many people told me, messaged me, saying they're going to be here, they're going to be loud, they're going to offer me support.

As I said, I can't put a number on it, but I'm sure there will be a few anyway, as long as I've got some friends anyway.

Q. With your history here, can you just tell us a little bit about how you see the course playing right now compared to different times in your lifetime?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Unfortunately actually this is the first time I've been here for a couple of weeks, so I haven't seen it. From what I can remember, because we had a dry spell, I remember the rough actually being a bit sparse, which obviously isn't the best thing. And then if it rains, then it could soften up.

Again, I'm kind of intrigued myself to get out there and see exactly what it's like, but compared to previous Opens, I remember in '14 I think it was soft and the scoring was really good, and then in '06 it was completely burnt out.

So I have seen that kind of side of it. I think we're just hoping that it does firm out a bit and there is a bit of wind, so it can offer good scores and bad scores.

Q. What is it you're looking for when you play the practice round? Obviously you know it very well.

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, I mean, I'm just looking at certain spots that you can hit it in terms of like I want to see where the rough is in certain places. I'm not going to reveal where because I don't want to give away too many tips.

Then I just want to see exactly how firm it is in terms of like hitting shots towards bunkers, how big the bounce is, how big the bounce is on greens.

Yeah, just more so being able to -- instead of looking at the course, being able to actually feel it and see the bounces and everything like that.

Q. Have you had many players ask for any input or thoughts?

MATTHEW JORDAN: There's been a couple so far, but as I say, I've only just arrived. I might pick and choose what I tell person people.

Q. What's your career low at the course, and did you win the club championship several times? What's your history here?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yes, my lowest -- I remember when I was 16 I shot a 69 off the backs here, which is one of my first amazing rounds.

But my lowest, I've probably done 62, I think.

In terms of club championships, I think I did three in a row until I started playing all the amateur stuff so I couldn't compete anymore. I think people like my dad were playing in that, so it wasn't too tough to win.

Q. As a local, do you call it Royal Liverpool, or do you say Hoylake?

MATTHEW JORDAN: I say Hoylake for short, but Royal Liverpool is fine. I don't think anyone is going to get you on that.

Q. I just wondering how highly you fancy your chances this week to sort of make an impression on the leaderboard or the top 20 considering how well you know the course? How important is that?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, no, of course. Ultimately I want to perform. That is my main goal.

I think in terms of me doing that, when I come away from this next week I just want to play the golf course like I know I can, like I do in practice, like I normally will if I'm here preparing for any other events.

And if I feel like I can do that, then I know that I can do well around here.

For me it's not letting the occasion dictate what I exactly do. It's just me playing the golf course.

STUART MOFFATT: Matthew, thanks for your time, and good luck this week.