THE 153RD OPEN

July 17, 2025

Matthew Jordan

Mixed Zone

Q. Congratulations on your round. Tell us about it.

MATTHEW JORDAN: Just a few loose shots. I could maybe pick out one that was poor. Just the consistency in everything really, the way that I drove it, my iron play, my putting. Yeah, the performance of it was an all-around thing.

Q. How challenging were the conditions when the weather came in?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Extremely, extremely. Sometimes even -- it's still quite firm, so even the downwind holes were playing just as tough as the into the wind holes, as crazy as it seems. You're fighting the brolly and everything, and it takes more out of you, and it seems to take up more energy. I don't know what it looked like on TV, but that stretch was odd.

Q. What did you make of the crowd? They were out there cheering you on in the weather as well?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, it's absolutely brilliant. I just love it. The reception that you get on the 1st tee and the walk into it and obviously the 18 grandstand, to me, there's just nothing like it. And everyone's so knowledgeable as well. Everyone understands what a good shot is, even though there probably wasn't too much clapping when it was absolutely hammering it down, which I don't blame them because they've all got brollies up.

Q. Given the fabulous finishes you've had in recent years at Opens, you must have a lot of confidence, I believe, coming into this?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Of course, of course. You kind of try to channel that confidence. Although I've done well, it doesn't necessarily mean that this time round, because there's so many variables in links golf, doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen again kind of thing. I've still got to work at it.

I've got to work on every shot and try my best. Having that experience of knowing I can do it is a great thing.

Q. Obviously there's a lot changing from year to year, but I'm wondering what do you think has been consistent about your game over the last three years in this event? You've strung together a bunch of really nice rounds.

MATTHEW JORDAN: That's a good question. I'd have to go back through every single one. I think my ability probably to, if I make a mistake, not compound it. I think that's one thing that I've been impressed with certainly because quite a few of the days that I've played in Opens have been tough, have been difficult. You are going to make mistakes. So there probably is that side mentally.

Then also, as easy as it -- it's just how I've played. I just seem to play better in them, and I can't tell you exactly why that is. I guess you don't do it through bad golf.

Q. What is the secret to links golf?

MATTHEW JORDAN: The secret, I think -- there's a couple, but I think mainly so when people probably come over, is being able to understand how far to hit half shots, different flights, start lines, because that -- and then adapting that into then where am I pitching it? Because as I say, it's still firm.

I've been hitting 9-irons over 200 yards. I was hitting like an 8-iron on 17. Even though it went long, my purpose was to hit it 120. There's a lot of that. It's not just kind of stand there and hit it. So being able to adapt and understand exactly how to hit those kinds of shots.

Q. What are the things you think you do best in your game when you're playing really well?

MATTHEW JORDAN: I mean, like always, everyone can hit great shots, and everyone will do in a tournament. I think everyone just searches for consistency, and I think that's basically what you aim for. That then obviously comes off when you're more consistent, you end up being pin high more and you're able to control your flight and everything like that.

Yeah, you've got a few good questions that I could go on about. (Laughter).

Q. Have you played here before?

MATTHEW JORDAN: I came two, three weeks ago. Three weeks ago probably, just to scout it out because it can be -- in the practice rounds, it can be a bit more chaotic. We did that at Troon as well just to get an idea.

Q. And it's worked for you. Do you come here and think this is a course immediately I can do something here?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, funny enough, when I've turned up at Troon previously and here, the weather's been quite -- it was quite difficult. It was quite windy. So I ended up like playing -- like it was today. I ended up playing a really hard golf course. I ended up playing and coming off and going, wow, this is going to be a real test again.

Fortunately enough, by the time I get there, I play a bit better. I obviously made a few more birdies. Yeah, it definitely obviously helps coming in.

Q. Do you feel more confident now than you did at Hoylake a couple of years ago?

MATTHEW JORDAN: I obviously do. I understand what I've done previously. Yeah, I think the confidence is not necessarily maybe based on the two previous Opens, which does help; it's more based on how I think I've been mainly kind of the last year, last nine months kind of thing, and how I've performed then. I think both of them combined probably add a bit of confidence.

As I say, last week I missed the cut. So golf's very up-and-down.

Q. That was your lowest round considering the course and conditions, how satisfying is that?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, that was probably -- I know I made a couple mistakes, but that was probably the best I've played, I think, maybe of a few rounds. Probably close to it. It's certainly up there anyway.

Yeah, it's hard to categorize because obviously you look at the Saturday of Troon last year, and it was horrific. It really was horrendous. How do you compare that to this? I don't know. But I can definitely say I have a good feeling coming off like I do now.

Q. The Women's Open is heading to Porthcawl in Wales. Do you have any experience on that course? Do you have any experience there?

MATTHEW JORDAN: I played the British Am there, I think. Yes, I did. Sorry, it shouldn't be a long time ago, but it seems to be now.

Q. What do you remember?

MATTHEW JORDAN: I remember the prevailing wind at the start when we played 1, 2, 3 was really tricky. I remember getting off to a good start was actually quite difficult. Then you had a couple of par-5s that played downwind. I don't know what the wind is going to be like there. Yeah, I remember the par-5s are the ones that you're trying to score on and the start being kind of difficult.

Q. That's your advice to the ladies, get through the tough start?

MATTHEW JORDAN: Yeah, again, it can change. It could play downwind. Just through my previous experience and how exposed it is as well, if the wind does kick up. Then I remember that being probably the advice. It doesn't mean to say -- you need to play the middle part of the round as well, don't you?