Marc Warren wants ‘surreal’ Open repeat

• Marc Warren played in the second last group in third round 
• He described the experience as ‘amazing’
• The Scot is paired with Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jason Dufner for first two rounds

Marc Warren has described his experience of playing in one of the last groups at last year’s Open Championship as ‘a surreal experience’ and one he hopes to repeat this week at Royal Troon.

The Glasgow man played himself into the second last group on the Saturday in St Andrews alongside Paul Lawrie after opening rounds of 68 and 69 had placed him three shots off the lead.

Speaking at a Callaway event held at Ibrox on Monday, Marc Warren described the full day as ‘amazing’.

“It was probably one of the best experiences in golf,” he said in an exclusive chat with bunkered.co.uk. “I had two really good rounds to start. Walking down that first fairway was something else and then coming up 18 was absolutely phenomenal.

“I’d been looking forward to that Open and I was determined to qualify. I’d always wanted to play in an Open Championship at St Andrews and it’s a golf course I feel really comfortable on. Something similar this week would be great.”

For Marc Warren, an Open at Royal Troon is very much his ‘home’ Open. Only half-an-hour’s drive from his house, he says he’s hoping home comforts will give him an advantage.

He added: “This week is always special, but being able to stay at home, in my own bed, is a real bonus. Being able to have so many family and friends around me this week and having the extra support on the course can make a real difference.”

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When it comes to the course itself, it’s one Marc Warren knows well and, while standing on the Ibrox pitch, he used one of football’s best known clichés to describe the challenges players will face this week.

“It’s very much a game of two halves,” Marc Warren added. “The course is renowned for the front-nine playing down off the right wind wise. The first nine holes are a little bit shorter and you have a few birdie chances out there as you’ll be using irons off tees and playing wedges into greens.

“When you reach the turn and start playing the back-nine, that’s when it becomes really tough. The wind comes off the left, the fairways are a lot narrower and the holes are longer.

“You need to get a good score on the front nine and then manage you game on the back-nine to try and keep your good score into the clubhouse.”

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Marc Warren – Open pairings

Marc Warren will tee off on Thursday afternoon at 2:37pm alongside Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jason Dufner. He’ll then start his Friday round at 9:36am.

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