The Open Championship, St Andrews, 15-18 July Coverage: Live on BBC TV, Red Button, BBC Sport website, with updates on BBC Radio 5 live Full coverage details
Advertisement
Abbott looks to mental strength at Open
Suffolk amateur golfer Jamie Abbott has set his sights on making the final day of the Open at St Andrews.
The 23-year-old qualified for the championship by coming through a play-off after a three-way tie at Kingsbarns on 29 June.
He told BBC Look East: "I'd like to make the cut, I think I'm playing well enough, so that is the first ambition.
"After that, as long as I'm playing well enough, I could finish top 20. That would be a perfect week."
The young man from Fynn Valley, near Ipswich, has been drawn with American Tom Pernice Jnr and Londoner Zane Scotland, who was once tipped for great things on his last Open appearance 11 years ago.
"Just standing on that first tee is going to be the biggest moment of my life," added Abbott.
"I'm just going to enjoy it, I'm not expected to do anything.
I don't think it will hit me until I stand on the first tee on Thursday
Jamie Abbott
"Hopefully I'll make the cut and putt out on the 18th."
Abbott, who has been coached for the last five years by Paul Ashwell at Wyboston Lakes Golf Centre, has achieved respectable amateur success and appearances for the England squad but has yet to break onto the professional tour.
Thursday is just as big a day for his family as it is for him.
"They're over the moon, probably more than I am because it hasn't sunk in," he said.
"I don't think it will hit me until I stand on the first tee on Thursday."
Abbott's biggest success to date is a runner-up finish at the 2009 Portuguese Amateur Open.
Bookmark with:
What are these?