JORDAN Smith hopes the same relaxed attitude for his maiden appearance at The Open will yield the same strong performance as it did during his impressive Major championship debut last year.

Wiltshire golfer Smith made his first appearance at one of golf’s big four tournaments at last August’s US PGA Championship, where he recorded a superb tied ninth finish at Quail Hollow.

Derry Hill’s Smith will now make his bow at The Open when the tournament gets under way on Thursday, and the 25-year-old plans to adopt the same laid-back approach at Carnoustie as he did in North Carolina.

Bowood player Smith tees off his first round at 3.54pm in Scotland alongside Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti, with the trio due out for their second round at 10.53am tomorrow.

“I go into these weeks just enjoying myself,” said Smith, who is in his second season on the European Tour.

“Obviously no one is really expecting big things, but I am expecting myself to play well.

“Of course, every event is different. This is Carnoustie, so it is going to be tough. It is going to be windy, it is going to be firm and it is going to be completely different to the US PGA.

“I went into that week just trying to enjoy it and it seemed to work, so I will do the same this week. I will have fun and soak up the atmosphere of the whole week.

“It’s such a big event so it does add that extra bit of excitement, especially when you’ve been out on the range and seen some of the big names, like Tiger Woods, clipping a few balls.

“I arrived on Monday and it was manic already. There is a lot going on, so I am really looking forward to it.”

Carnoustie is considered the most challenging course on The Open roster but Smith arrives with two weeks’ worth of competitive Links golf under his belt.

After missing the cut at the Irish Open a fortnight ago, Smith finished last week’s Scottish Open on eight-under par for a tie for 32nd place.

“I played Carnoustie last year at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championships, so I have had a feel for it and I am really looking forward to getting out there again,” said Smith.

“It is a lot of fun playing Links golf, so I do enjoy it. I feel like I have got good control of the ball in windy conditions, and I feel like I select the right shot at the right time but can also use my imagination.

“I played pretty well last week, I just made some silly mistakes which cost me a few shots. If I can cut that out this week and play as well I can, then I should be fine.”

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