Paul Lawrie has predicted “big things” for Fife golfer Connor Syme.
The veteran former Open champion and the 22-year-old qualifier making his first appearance at the championship played together in a practice round yesterday.
And Lawrie believes the Drumoig amateur is equipped to give a good showing at Royal Birkdale and beyond.
“I have been in contact with Connor for a while,” said the Aberdonian.
“He mentioned a practice round and I suggested Tuesday morning.
“That was ideal for me as the weather is not too good on Wednesday.
“He was very impressive. I had not played with him before but he has got all of the shots.
“He has great ball flight, keeps it down easily and a nice lad too.
“I think we’ll see big things from him.”
Syme, who secured his spot in the Open at final qualifying at Glasgow Gailes, has previously been invited by Lawrie to compete in his invitational event on the Tartan Tour, as well as the former Ryder Cup star’s junior foundation event.
“He won the Junior Jug twice,” he recalled. “Connor is the first Junior Jug winner to play in the Open which is nice.
“It was great to play with him today.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think he will kick on.”
Syme may not have earned a penny in the game but he does have experience in the bank that many of the pros will lack this week.
“All of the amateurs play a lot of links golf,” said Lawrie. “Some people say it is maybe a bit too much at times.
“But when you get to weeks like this it shows they need that.
“It is a different form of the game. You have to keep the ball down and learn to deal with the bounces here and there.
“If you play a lot of links golf in the amateur game then you should have a good chance.”
Lawrie added: “He led the qualifying. That was a hell of an achievement.
“He is obviously excited to be playing.
“His dad (Stuart) who I have known for a long time, walked round with him. It is great for his whole family to see him playing.”
Lawrie won’t be going into this Open with confidence levels as high as Syme after a Scottish Open experience he described as “awful”.
He said: “It was probably as bad as I can play.
“I really struggled off the tee and couldn’t get the ball in play around there.
“It was just one of those weeks.
“I missed the cut in Ireland but I wasn’t uncompetitive. I only missed the cut by a couple and bogeyed the last.
“I should have made the cut and I was OK in Munich.
“Last week was just one of those weeks when I struggled, didn’t play well and got what I deserved.
“I was nine over par and that was about how I played.
“This week I am trying to get back to basics, take the club away slowly, get a bit of height and better posture – all the little things that I have worked on throughout my career.
“If the wind blows and the course is playing tough you have got to keep it simple.
“If you start getting complicated with swing thoughts then you could really go out there for a few.”
You won’t speak to many – if any – golfers who aren’t members of the Royal Birkdale fanclub.
“It is just magnificent,” Lawrie said.
“It is one of the best courses on the rotation. I don’t have any doubt about that.
“The condition and set-up of it is just beautiful. It is not easy out there and the wind picked up for the last few holes. It was reasonably difficult but that is how it should be.”