Marcus Armitage: From sleeping in a tent to a first proper Open shot

Marcus Armitage reacts to a missed putt during the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club in Doha, Quatar in March earlier this year. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

With his thick Huddersfield accent, perma-grin and general effervescence, Marcus Armitage was a good choice to get the 149th Open Championship underway on Thursday morning.

The 33-year-old earned his place at Royal St George's way back in January of 2020, draining a 15-footer on the 72nd hole of the South African Open to secure his spot and will tee it up in the opening group alongside Richard Bland and Andy Sullivan at 6.35am.