MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia NEWS & TOUR TOP STORIES Nick Faldo receives his Knighthood LPGA wins Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge Mickelson raises expectations for 2010 Race to Dubai nears its conclusion Thousands follow Tiger Woods practice round Fans warned about fake Ryder Cup tickets

Lyle savours Hoylake experience

Australia’s bright spark Jarrod Lyle is relishing his maiden appearance at The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake this week.

Lyle is living proof that nothing is impossible in the Royal and Ancient game as after turning professional in 2004, and overcoming leukemia some seven years ago, the 24-year-old will take on the world's best in the world's oldest major.

The Aussie youngster reveals to asiantour.com his aspirations for The Open, the thrills of preparation and what it means to have his family backing him at Hoylake this week.

By Jarrod Lyle

The butterflies are definitely starting to flutter as this is the biggest tournament that I have played in, so I am starting to get a little nervous. I don’t really know what to expect but I just can’t wait to get amongst all the hype.

It really means a lot to play in my first major so early in my career. It shows me that I have the game to mix it with the best players in the game. It gives me a lot of confidence as well.

I love the links style of golf. It rewards the players who have a bit of imagination and it really appeals to me. I was in Scotland last week and will play in several practice rounds at Hoylake to prepare myself.

My form has been okay. I have been playing pretty solid recently (on the Nationwide Tour in the United States) but have been making a few little errors here and there which put a halt to any momentum you may have at that stage.

I got here over the weekend and hope to play between two to three practice rounds. I haven’t lined anybody up yet for a round but I will give a couple of guys a ring and see if they will be interested in having a whack.

There is going to be a Jarrod cheer squad this week. All my family members are here including Mum (Sally-Anne), Dad (John), Sister (Karli) and my brother (Leighton) who is caddying for me. My coach Sandy Jamieson is also going to be there so if I need any fine tuning he will be available.

Leighton and I are staying at a hotel near the course and my folks are staying about 45 minutes away. It'll be fun.

One of my early memories of The Open is seeing a golf course that was very brown and not that appealing but I think that is about to change! I'm looking forward to it.

It's great that we have a few other Asian Tour players in the field this week and I think it shows that the Asian Tour is getting a lot stronger and with four guys in the tournament, it is something to be very proud of.

It would be sensational if all of us could contend come the end of the week.

There is a lot of depth on the Asian Tour and we've seen players like Prom Meesawat and Scotty Strange winning recently which shows there is a lot of talent to contend with out on the Asian Tour.

July 17, 2006