Hillside …
Two years ago it was American Jordan Spieth lighting-up the neighbouring Royal Birkdale and now around 250-yards from the 18th green where the Americn was handed the Claret Jug, England’s Matthew Jordan has posted a new course record 63 on day one of the British Masters.
Jordan matched his age of 23 in posting just 23 putts to lead the field by two shots with his nine-under par total.
Playing just his 12th event as a professional, Jordan defied wet and chilly conditions at Hillside to fire nine birdies and enjoy a two-shot lead over Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult and fellow Englishman Matt Wallace.
The Royal Liverpool attached Jordan turned professional in September 2018 after a stellar amateur career which saw him reach fifth in the world rankings and enjoy a nine-shot victory in the prestigious Lytham Trophy.
“I’ve known him for a long time, we all know what he’s capable of,” said tournament host Tommy Fleetwood, who shot a rock-solid opening 68.
“That’s a tremendous first round and I think it will be good for him now.
England’s Matthew Jordan posts a new Hillside course record of a nine-under par 63. (Photo @tourmiss)
“I’ve seen some of his scores and he’s not played as well as I know he wants to this year, but when you’re first turning pro it’s different and now the experience being at the top of the leaderboard for a few days will be really, really good.”
Jordan’s best result to date is a tie for seventh in a Challenge Tour event in Turkey, where he carded a second round of 62 a fortnight ago.
“You never quite expect it,” he said. “I knew I had been playing quite well and just from the get-go it started perfectly and from then on I just kept it going. I just tried to shoot as low as I could because I thought the guys out there, they are good as well.
“You start to realise you’re doing quite well because more people turn up and you see a couple of cameras. I was nervous maybe for a couple of holes, like around 11 and 12, and then I settled back into it which was strange.”
And living in the Liverpool area there is no prize for guessing who is Jordan’s favourite football team
“Yeah, I didn’t expect Liverpool to win the way they did the other night. I just watched it, and again, and that takes your mind off golf.
“Everyone is talking about the game instead of the golf”.
