Andy Murray delivers verdict on playing Open | Golf News

Andy Murray has spent most of his life being recognized for exchanging backhands with tennis legends and successful major tournaments, but now the three-time Grand Slam champion has formally crossed over to golf.

Murray performed alongside world No. 547 Eddie Pepperell this week at the DP World Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie Championship Course in Scotland. The novice golfer has his eyes set on someday having the ability to play in The Open Championship alongside PGA Tour and DP World Tour stars.

“A couple of my friends who are excellent golfers have done it,” Murray told The Times. “If I can improve enough, I think it would be a fun thing to do.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be capable of entering, but I want to try and play in a few more events,” he said. “I’ve been pretty amazed at how willing the pros are to help because spending five hours with people hacking it around probably isn’t that enjoyable.”

Murray and Pepperell are 15 under through two rounds (65, 64), and Murray is No. 25 on the crew leaderboard. Their mixed rating of 129 stays far from the -24 four-way tie for first place.

The retired tennis legend has been quietly reworking golf into his most popular midlife pastime. He secured the BTJA Mike Dickson Golf Day crew trophy last fall, eagled the 18th gap at St Andrews earlier this yr (and proudly announced it) and appeared at the BMW PGA Pro-Am.

In 2024, Murray stepped away from tennis with 46 ATP titles, three Grand Slams, and two Olympic gold medals. He secured a lasting popularity in the game’s mental panorama for anybody making an attempt to defeat him.

“I’m just trying to get better,” he said. “If I can compete at The Open, even for a round, that would be incredible. But for now, I’m just trying not to embarrass myself.”

DON’T MISS

The tennis legend still confirmed his ability stage in contrast to the professionals and was humbled by a botched bunker shot, with the ball barely shifting from its spot in the sand entice. The crowd laughed as Murray doubled over in embarrassment, and followers have been immediately reminded of how he compares to the professionals on the course.

“I know, I know, I’m terrible at golf,” said Murray to his followers.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which started in 2001, is among the few team-based golf occasions. It options 168 professionals paired with amateurs, including celebrities such as Michael Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson and Gareth Bale. The event resembles the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and affords a whole prize purse of $5 million, with the winner receiving $800,000.