Amateur Christo Lamprecht stands out for height and play at The Open

The final novice to carry at the very least a share of the first-round lead in an Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Membership was Bobby Jones in 1930.

One other Georgia Tech participant, Christo Lamprechtput himself ready to do it once more by carding a 5-under 66 in Thursday’s opening spherical of the 151st Open Championship. Lamprecht had a 2-stroke lead over one other former Yellow Jacket, Stewart Cink.

Lamprecht, from South Africa, is believed to be the tallest participant to ever compete in The Open at 6 toes, 8 inches. He routinely hits 325-yard drives and has a deft brief sport as effectively, in line with Cink.

“It is fairly surreal,” Lamprecht stated. “It is good to see a variety of work behind the scenes repay. It is one thing I have not dreamt of but, but it surely’s fairly cool.”

Lamprecht, 22, certified for the Open by successful the British Newbie final month. He’ll additionally play in subsequent yr’s Masters and U.S. Open. No matter what occurs this week, Lamprecht stated he plans to return for his senior season at Georgia Tech this fall.

Lamprecht stated he wasn’t that stunned to see his title atop the leaderboard.

“I imply, as an novice, sure, it’s,” he stated. “However in my very own head, no, it isn’t. I feel I am very onerous on myself, and I feel I earned my spot to be right here. I feel the best way I performed at the moment I earned to be on the highest of the leaderboard, as of now.

“It is not a cocky factor to say. I simply personally suppose I consider in myself, and I suppose stepping on to the primary tee field in the event you’re an expert or a competitor, you have to be believing that you have to be the perfect standing there.”