As additions to the diary go, an Open Championship is not a bad event to scribble in. “I was probably going to play the Bothwell Castle Pro-Am this weekend on the Tartan Tour,” smiled Jack McDonald of this small change to his playing schedule.
It doesn’t get much bigger than the game’s oldest and most celebrated major. For the second time in three years, McDonald is back among the global stars as he carries The PGA flag in the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.
As he did for the 2024 Open in his own backyard of Royal Troon, McDonald, who is doing his PGA training under the shrewd tutelage of David Orr at Whitecraigs, successfully came through the 36-hole qualifier at Dundonald Links.
The 33-year-old is now relishing another chance to go toe-to-toe with the world’s best. He’s also proud to be representing an association that has helped him map out a new career path after he decided to step away from full-time competition as a touring golfer.
“It’s nice to be flying The PGA flag,” said the Scot. “It’s a great association and provides great opportunities in the game. Hopefully I can do them proud.
“I’m enjoying the change in career direction. Working, playing some golf, it’s a mix of everything. I just wanted to work in the golf industry after I stopped full-time playing and The PGA option was massive for me.
“I probably never expected to be here at The Open again, but we are and we’ll give it a good go.”
At Royal Troon in 2024, McDonald missed the cut in his maiden Open outing by a single shot over a course he knew like the back of his hand.
The firm, fiery links of Royal Birkdale will be a very different test, but McDonald is looking forward to the robust examination.
“It obviously feels a bit different,” he added. “I’m not as familiar with the golf course, but The Open is amazing obviously and everything that comes with it is very similar.
“I played here at Birkdale once before during the Walker Cup week at Lytham (in 2015). It’s a lot different, though, and I can’t really remember too much about it as it was that long ago.
“But, with the changes they’ve made, it’s a proper test of golf. It’s running fast out there and I don’t think there is any rain in the forecast, so I would imagine that it is going to be very firm over all four days. The firmer it gets, the more premium there will be on hitting fairways.”
He may be surrounded by the game’s superstars on the driving range but, having earned his spot in qualifying, McDonald knows he belongs on this grand stage.
“I’ve played tournament golf all my life, coming up through the ranks, and that feeling of belonging there is the same at every level you get to,” he said.
“It’s like going from amateur golf to the Challenge Tour (HotelPlanner Tour). It’s the next level. The Open is the highest level and you just have to play your own golf.
“You are always trying to climb the ladder in this game. It just so happens I’m now playing in the biggest tournament in the world. As a kid you’re always dreaming of holing a putt for The Open. To be able to play in it twice is amazing.”
