From the US Masters to the Open Championship, Caymanian golfer Aaron Jarvis gets a second shot at the big-time in Scotland this week.
The 19-year-old will, once again, compete with the likes of Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy at St Andrews, one of the most famous courses in golf.
Jarvis, who was practicing on the course this weekend, believes he can make the cut at the prestigious event.
His victory at the Latin America Amateur Championships in January was a golden ticket that catapulted the freshman college athlete onto the world stage. In a whirlwind year, he has gone from the sun-kissed fairways of the North Sound golf course in Cayman to the biggest venues and events in the world.
Despite a baptism of fire on day one at the US Masters in Augusta, Georgia, in April, where he shot a nine-over-par 81, he recovered on day two to card an accomplished two-over-par 74 – better on the day than a host of superstars, and equal with Woods, perhaps the best player in history.
He hopes that experience will stand him in good stead when he tees off Thursday, 14 July, in front of a capacity crowd and under the glare of the world’s television cameras once again.
“I am nervous and I am excited, but that experience on the Friday at Augusta will definitely help,” he said. “I was happy with that round. The scores were not low that day and I proved I could stay in there.”
Unsurprisingly, there were a few nerves when he teed off in the US Masters. But, since that tournament, he has competed in a number of high-profile events, including the US Open qualifiers and the US Amateur Championships.
While he didn’t do as well as he had hoped on those occasions, he learned from each round and expects to have a little more composure in front of the crowds and the media as a result of his whirlwind year.
He has set his sights high once again, aiming to make the cut and finish as the top performing amateur in the tournament.
Jarvis spent some time at the Old Course in St Andrews with his caddy last month and is relishing the challenge of attacking a course he had previously only seen on television.
“There’s not a lot of trouble out there unless the wind blows, so there could be some low scores,” he said. “It’s a true links golf course, so if the wind gets up, I just need to keep it low.”
He was back in Cayman last week, spending some time with family and relaxing on the boat, getting his mind right for another big test of his fledgling career.
It’s not just been rest and relaxation, however, he put in his time in at the gym and the practice course. He believes low drives and long putts will be what’s required to succeed next week.
“I have seen the course and I know what shots I have got to work on to be prepared,” he said.
Jarvis is the first Caymanian in history to compete at the Open Championship.
He flew to the UK on Friday, 8 July, and was immediately out on the course ahead of the tournament next week.
Open Championship odds (selected)
Rory McIlroy 9-1
Scottie Scheffler 14-1
Jon Rahm 14-1
Dustin Johnson 28-1
Tiger Woods 55-1
Sergio Garcia 100-1
Padraig Harrington 150-1
Stewart Cink 200-1
Ernie Els 500-1
Darren Clarke 1,000-1
Aaron Jarvis 1,000-1
Need-to-know info
What: The 150th Open Championship
Where: St Andrews, Scotland
When: Thursday 14 July – Sunday 17 July
How to follow: Coverage at www.open.com, televised on NBC and with updates on Jarvis’ progress at caymancompass.com
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Just be yourself, play YOUR game. We are all with you in spirit and heart. “Go get em Jarvis”