It was a long delayed journey before Barry Lane and his wife finally arrived at the front doors of the Royal Lytham and St. Annes clubouse near lunch today.
Lane’s flight from Detriot had been delayed some 14 hours after he had been competing in the U.S. Seniors Open.
And it was during the delay in ‘Motor City’ the Englishman learnt he has the honour of teeing up first at 6.19am on Thursday in the 141st Open Championship.
Barry Lane honoured to be teeing-up first in 141st Open. (Photo - Phil Inglis/www.golffile.ie)
“I was sitting in Detroit Airport yesterday (Mon) waiting for my flight back to the UK. Our flight on Sunday night had been cancelled and we a 14-hour wait in Detroit,” he said.
“So I go onto the internet and it came up that I was first out at – 6.19am – so at that time of the day it could be good or it could be bad.
“But what a great honour at 52 years of age to tee up first in the 2012 Open Championship and the first player to hit .
“I was just chuffed to actually qualify but to be now hitting the first shot is fantastic.
“I qualified just down the road (Old St. Annes), and I’m still an okay player, and I do still as though I am very competitive and that’s why I went to qualifying as The Open is the best tournament in the world.
“It’s fantastic and I am so happy I am here.”
Lane will be teeing up in his 15th Open Championship since making his debut in 1987 at Muirfield. He finished in a share of 33rd place last Sunday behind compatriot and close friend, Roger Chapman.
And The Open will be the second of three big tournaments for the Middlesex-born golfer.
“I am still a little tired after last week but I’ve got this week and next week’s Senior British Open, so the two weeks are going to be an exciting fortnight for me,” he said.
And after competing in 14 prior Open’s, with a best finish of 13th in 1993 at Royal St. George’s, Lane indicated this will be the first time he’s tee-up first in golf’s oldest Major.
“No, never teed-up first before,” he said.
” This is my 15th Open but never have I teed up first. It will be something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
“I’m sure also the stands will be full at that time of the morning.
“I was last here 2001 when I finished in the top-30 but I also recall the first Open I played here in 1988 and it was the week after I won the Scottish Open at Gleneagles. I shot 85 and think I finished last.
“Winning Gleneagles was my first European Tour win and I was just overawed and also somewhat shattered as I had been striving all my life to win that first tournament. I also played here in ’96 but missed the cut the year Tom Lehman won. Actually, he was on our flight over from Detriot.”
And Lane was asked if due the fact the first hole at Royal Lytham is a par three, is it a daunting shot to be hitting as the first player to tee up.
“If it was 3-wood over water with out-of-bounds left and right then it would be a genuine nightmare opening tee shot but the fact is it is a gentle par three and about a 6 or 5-iron, and depending where the wind is,” he said.
“So it won’t be that daunting.
“I know I will have to be here at the course about 5am but that’s no concern or playing in a two ball.”
