THE 154TH OPEN

July 17, 2026

Matthew Baldwin

Mixed Zone

Q. Matt, obviously a disappointment for you today. How would you sum up the round?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: It was a disappointing day, but all in all, it was an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I wish I'd done a little better today, but things didn't work out, didn't hole any putts, which then sort of ate into rest of my game, put a little bit of pressure on myself to hit closer.

As that happens, you sort of then force yourself into a few mistakes. By the time that that's over with, it's too late.

Q. Obviously it was an emotional moment for you to hit that 1st tee shot. That's something you're never going to forget, is it?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: No. The way it made me feel after and before, in the leadup to it, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life, yeah.

Q. When you see the crowds out there not just cheering you on, but all the English players, there's 300,000 people here this week at this course, that says a lot about this place, doesn't it?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: Yeah, for me it's the pinnacle of links golf. It's phenomenal. I'm very proud to be a member at the golf club.

I think The Open is the biggest tournament in the world. So I'm very proud to be a part of that this week. Yeah, that's it.

Q. Will you stay around and watch it, or are you going to go off now?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: I've not thought about it. A couple of me mates are obviously doing all right. So I will potentially watch them, but I won't be hanging around too much other than see how Sully and little Alex Fitz is getting on and stuff like that.

Q. What's going on for you after this?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: I'll have a three-week break, sort of reset, think about what I need to improve and hopefully improve it.

Q. We've seen a few low scores today, but also a lot of top players have struggled out there. Does that sort of show there's not fine margins on a course like this?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: Yes, I think the firmer and faster it gets, the more we see the divide is going to get bigger.

Q. You said yesterday that you were around the last time it was here at Birkdale and the time before that in 2008 as well. Do you think you'll be around for the next one as well?

MATTHEW BALDWIN: I'll try to be. I hope so, yeah. Whether I'll be playing golf or not is a different story. So we'll see.