THE 152ND OPEN

July 18, 2024

Callum Scott

Mixed Zone

Q. How was that 18 holes for you today?

CALLUM SCOTT: Yeah, the first few were a little shaky. It was tough to settle in there for a while with the crowds out there. It was something I haven't experienced before, so that was new. A little uncomfortable at the start, but I managed my way around the golf course really well. Managed to hole some really good putts, some birdie putts, and made I think four birdies, four bogeys. Wasn't too bad. I was really happy with the result.

Q. Once you got in the groove and the nerves were away from you, when you felt like you could play some proper golf --

CALLUM SCOTT: Yeah, absolutely. I think there really wasn't expectations from that point. It was just another golf course once I got past that sort of nerves and uncomfortableness. Again, it's 18 tees, 18 greens, 18 fairways. It's just another golf course at the end of the day but I think just more distractions, but once I got past the noise, I was able to settle in and play some good golf.

Q. You look at conditions and how the wind may pick up this afternoon, this is a tough golf course.

CALLUM SCOTT: Yeah, I'm happy with the result. Obviously I know the back nine is playing a little easier without wind, and the front nine is actually playing a little tougher, I think, into off the right. But you've still got to hit some really good golf shots coming in, especially on those long par-4s coming in.

I think if you're able to hold your own on the front nine, you can get a score going. Around even or under par is solid out there, so hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.

Q. How did you sleep last night knowing that you were going to be out in the second group? Up early this morning and obviously really excited.

CALLUM SCOTT: Yeah, I tried to get to bed around 7:30 or 8:00 because I knew it was going to be an early one and I tried to get comfortable in bed and see if I could close my eyes and go like that, but it took me a while. I was probably up until midnight, so I didn't get much sleep. But I'm glad the first round is over so I can kind of relax now.

Q. How was the overall experience for you?

CALLUM SCOTT: Yeah, it was unbelievable to be able to play in front of friends and family, as well. It just sort of makes it -- I don't know, there's something about playing in Scotland in front of the home crowds and friends and family, it means a lot to me and sort of boosts me a little bit, especially when I hit a good shot and I know they're watching and cheering me on.

This whole experience, The Open, is better than I expected. It was everything and more. It's just been unbelievable from the start, Monday onwards.

Q. You birdied the Postage Stamp.

CALLUM SCOTT: Yeah, birdied the Postage Stamp and the 18th. I couldn't ask for anything better.

Q. What did you hit?

CALLUM SCOTT: A 60-degree. I think it was around 117 down to 115, obviously wind helping off the left, and it's skipping a lot right now, especially when the wind is helping. So you've got to land things a little shorter, especially with the spin. It sort of skids and then sort of delayed spin. Yeah, hit it up there really good and holed a nice putt.

The last, I just missed the bunkers on the left there and then hit it to -- had about 178 and I landed it in front of the green, skipped up to about 13 feet and rolled it in.