THE 154TH OPEN

July 16, 2026

Matthew Baldwin

Mixed Zone

Q. Matt, you obviously had the honour today of getting it underway. How special was that, and how do you reflect on it?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: It was an incredible feeling. It was terrifying. It was overwhelming. But it's something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Q. Were you able to pick out the family and friends, or were you just focusing on that first shot?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: I'm not even sure I lifted my head, if I'm honest. I remember waving at a couple of people, but at the end of the day, your focus is obviously hitting the golf shot, isn't it. There's time to wave at people after, I guess.

Q. You got a fantastic ovation; it was incredible.

MATTHEW BALDWIN: Yeah, it was amazing. I couldn't have asked for more, support-wise. It took me back, to be honest.

Q. How do you reflect on your round?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: I played nice. I played a little bit in and out. Didn't putt amazing but then had a little period where I holed some putts as well, so it was a bit of a strange round, really. I think if I can tighten some things up, I could have a good day out there tomorrow.

Q. Do you think the conditions are there to have a low score out there today?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: I think so. Yeah. I think anyone who goes out and has a good day with the putter will have a good day for sure.

Q. You know this place as good as anybody. What would a good round be today if you could put a number to it?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: As in like the best round of the day?

Q. No, just what players should be happy with.

MATTHEW BALDWIN: Oh, 1-under or better, 2-under or better. I think 5, 6 by the end of the day. I might be wrong; it might go 7 or 8. I'd have been absolutely over the moon with 1- or 2-under.

Q. Do you remember where you were in '17?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: I was around because I remember being gutted that I wasn't playing. Same with 2008, to be honest. I was around. I was probably just floating around the golf club.

Q. You'd have been here?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: Oh, yeah.

Q. You still live in town?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: Yeah, I live on the north side of town near my old golf club, Hesketh, a place called Church Down.

Q. How long have you been a member here?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: 23 years now. '17 is when I joined.

Q. What's changed about it since then?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: There's got to be something on every hole. It might have been just before I joined. Like the old 15th used to have trees down the left. They all got ripped out. There used to be trees down the right of the 6th. They've all been ripped out recently. Every single tee is different. New bunkers. Then you've got three, four brand-new holes.

Q. You're one of the seven or eight Englishmen who were out early today; how did you approach the match last night in terms of watching and getting up early?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: I didn't watch it. I had it on quiet in bed, dozing. I remember waking up at 55 minutes and saw that England had scored and fell back asleep, and then I woke up again at probably midnight and my wife told me they had lost.

Q. What time were you actually up this morning?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: 3:30 alarm it was.

Q. How is the course different this week from a normal setup?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: It's obviously a lot drier and a lot faster. Caught me by surprise in places, the speed of the greens and stuff. I mean, as members, I'd say the rough is thinner now than it would be for the members. However, it's obviously been a really dry period. But I think it plays a little bit wider, as well.

They've brought it in, dried it out. Yeah, I think it's incredible.

Q. Where did you get caught out?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: Just a couple of putts. 7, for example, I had about 28 feet up the hill, and I hit it 12-foot by and it was into the wind and was a bit shocked how quick it was, to be fair. Same again on 10, which was back down the hill but into the wind. And then 16, I three-putted that, but I was a long way away. So I kind of forgive myself for that one.

Q. Were you playing a bunch in prep for this week out here?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: No, no. I played Sunday, 18 on Tuesday and nine yesterday, but I've had a really busy schedule. This is my fourth week on the run.

Q. I'm sure the club are very proud to see you playing here. Has the club done anything for you?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: Not to my knowledge. The club have been amazing with me ever since I joined when I was 17. The members have welcomed me in. It's a great place to play golf. It's a great place to socialise. It's got this family feel to it.