THE 154TH OPEN

July 17, 2026

Jack Buchanan

Mixed Zone

Q. Just your experience of playing in The Open, how was it?

JACK BUCHANAN: Yeah, being out here this week has really opened my eyes to what professional golf is like. Really cool to experience it as an amateur. I always knew before this is what I wanted to do, but being out here with all these guys this week has really emphasised that I now know this is what I want to do one day, so just really excited about the opportunity to be out here as an amateur.

Q. What did you see as the difference? You didn't play too badly. What did you see as the difference in order for you to kick on to the next level?

JACK BUCHANAN: Yeah, the difference out here is so small. Margins are so fine. Definitely I found this week that you drop one shot, you drop 20 places on the leaderboard here. Not so much in amateur golf.

Teeing off yesterday afternoon when the wind got to two, two and a half, even three clubs at some point, getting the ball close to holes to make birdie is really tough out here with the course setup and pins. So just being able to consistently hit greens on the bigger side is really big. Early on, wasn't able to hit as many fairways and just subsequently wasn't able to miss in the right places, but margins out here are so small, and really excited about the opportunity to play as an amateur.

Q. That opportunity obviously granted to you by the work that Golf RSA does but the R&A as well, hosting such a wonderful event back at home?

JACK BUCHANAN: Yeah, the African Amateur over the last couple years has been a really good steppingstone for young amateurs, obviously South Africa getting an opportunity on these big stages, and just very appreciative for Mr. Rupert, Golf RSA and the R&A for everything they've done to help me in my journey to getting here.