Jonathan Thomson: "Hole in one, it's a dream"

A big man produced a big moment as Jonathan Thomson made a hole-in-one on day two of The 2021 Open Championship.

Jonathan Thomson, statements

"You dream about playing in The Open as a kid and then you come here, have a hole-in-one and make the cut, and it's just like, wow. It's just phenomenal to be honest. Like the roar, the shot, everything about that hole, it's indescribable really. It sort of was a real booster because I was grinding out there as well, to be fair. It wasn't easy. I was playing good. I just couldn't seem to get anything going properly. Then that happened and it was like, you know, that's just awesome. I think every professional golfer out there, you sort of have to have a look what the mark is otherwise you've got nothing to work towards. I kind of knew I was always right on the bubble, but I also knew that I was playing great, so patience was key and thankfully it's paid off."

The Renaissance Club is nothing if not adaptable, and CEO Jerry Sarvadi is continuing to champion change in a bid to keep up with the ever-advancing technological landscape of professional golf with the hiring of player consultant Padraig Harrington.

Earlier last week, both Harrington and Sarvadi were joined on a walk around the course by his brother Paul and the European Tour’s Senior Tournament Director Mike Stewart and Senior Tournament Agronomy Consultant Eddie Adams as they discussed potential changes.

These discussions come just a year after Sarvadi unveiled a brand new challenge for players teeing up at the abrdn Scottish Open venue, which came in the form of a new layout, quicker greens, the rough untrampled and four new tees at the first, second, 15th and 16th that added a combined distance of roughly 300 yards.

The construction of the new championship tee at the first was to change the angle of play and provide a much-enhanced view of the landing area – and it’s that idea of viewing that Sarvadi put as one key motivator for change. The layout, which saw holes 1-7 and 10-16 of the 2019 layout flipped, was to allow the course’s most striking holes along the Firth of Forth to be presented on the back nine.

For Harrington, the opportunity is an exciting change to give his insight, but the Ryder Cup Europe Captain is equally keen to make sure that any change would positively impact the amateur experience, too.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3rfPWVQ