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Page last updated at 11:27 GMT, Wednesday, 15 July 2009 12:27 UK

Surry gears up for Open challenge

The 138th Open, Turnberry
Date: 16-19 July
Coverage: Live TV coverage on BBC Two, Online and the Red Button, live on Radio 5 Live and text commentary online on all four days

By Ged Scott
BBC Sport at Turnberry

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Surry reveals other sporting passion

Wiltshire's Steve Surry has found himself surrounded by big names at Turnberry this week - but he admits the star turn at his first Open will still be his mother.

Surry, 27, shot a course record second round 66 in qualifying at Western Gailes last week to book his place at the 138th Open Championship.

And the man from Cumberwell Park then immediately ensured that his mum would be there to see him play.

"She used to drive me all over the place in my amateur days," he told BBC Sport. "So this is a bit of payback for her too."

Surry is not the only Wiltshire golfer at the Open this week, having been joined in practice round the Ailsa Course on Monday by his better-known colleague, Swindon's star European Tour player David Howell.

I'm not nervous now, although I'm sure I will be come Thursday

Steve Surry

"I think there were six of us from Wiltshire in that group," he said. "My coach Ross Thompson, my caddie, one of my friends and Dave and his caddie.

"Now my mum's flown up to watch me play too. And it will be good to have a bit of support out there.

"My first aim is to make the cut then play well and see where I finish."

Surry is in for a long wait on Thursday. He does not go out until the final group (1621 BST) with Aussie Terry Pilkadaris and Japanese player Koumei Oda and it could be well past 2100 BST before he comes off the course.

But, now he has got used to the idea of rubbing shoulders on the practice ground and the putting green with the Tigers of this world, he is more accustomed to his surroundings.

"I'm not nervous now, although I'm sure I will be come Thursday," he said.

"Everyone is such a big name you get used to it after a while. Well, except Tiger maybe.

"But I shot a course record second round to get through so I'm playing well and, after playing that practice round with David Howell, whose caddie is a friend of mine, I feel pretty confident."

Howell believes Surry can acquit himself well at Turnberry.

"Nick Mumford, my caddie, and Steve play a lot of social golf together, so it was nice getting the chance to play together on Tuesday," said Howell.

"He looked like he's playing nicely. And, with his 'A' game on, he can certainly make the cut.

"He's done brilliantly to get here and it's a big thing for him. The main thing is he's just got to enjoy it."



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see also
Golf on the BBC
01 Jul 11 |  Golf
Open round four tee-off times
18 Jul 09 |  Golf
Turnberry gallery
14 Jul 09 |  Golf
Memories of Turnberry
13 Jul 09 |  Golf
Behind the scenes at the Open
14 Jul 09 |  Golf


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