'Old boy' Smyth will be thrilled to make the cut at Muirfield

THIS is Des Smyth's 23rd Open and "very probably" his last.

He is here because of a magnificent 13th place finish at Royal Lytham St Annes last year, and as he turns 50 next February, will be concentrating his efforts on the seniors circuits in both the United States and Europe after that. In fact, Eoghan O’Connell, who will be his manager when Smyth is playing in America, walked the Muirfield links with him yesterday.

“I love this week and I’m certainly happy with my draw, going off at 7 o’clock is fine with me,” admitted the man who remains the oldest winner on the European Tour. “You can be lucky at that time of day. You go out there and slip in a nice 69 and if it’s blowing hard in the afternoon, then it sounds like a fantastic score. I was in the first match out last year, but didn’t get to hit the first drive and it’s the same this time. I know it doesn’t matter, but it would kind of nice to drive the first ball in the Open. Being in the first match then was a good omen for me so hopefully, there will be more of the same this time. Last year, I was very excited about it because I came through the qualifying. It’s a little different when you’re exempt. I had a buzz going from the beginning at Lytham. It’s quieter this time, maybe I’ll feel better about it tomorrow. I must say the course is great. Everybody has been hoping for dry weather so that it would play more like a links.