By Ben James
Copyright walesonline
Andy Murray once again showed that his sporting talents are not just confined to the tennis court with a strong debut display on the opening day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The 38-year-old – who won Wimbledon twice during his tennis-playing days – has swapped the racket for golf clubs since retiring following the Paris Olympics last year. Showing the same dedication that brought two Olympic gold medals and a place at the top of the world rankings, Murray harbours ambitions to bring his handicap down to scratch and even wanting to try to qualify for the Open in a few years time. Now playing off a two-handicap, Murray has become involved in a number of pro-am tournaments. Having played in the last two editions of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Murray has now made his debut in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in his homeland of Scotland. Playing in the team championship, Murray will spend the tournament playing at three iconic courses; Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews. Partnered with professional golfer Eddie Pepperell, Murray looked the part at Carnoustie in the opening round on Thursday. The pair finished seven under after the first 18 holes – tied for 94th and 10 shots off the leaders of the team competition, Jack Senior & Dery Desmond. While their hopes of winning might look slim, Murray showed plenty of moments that suggest his dreams of trying to qualify for the Open might not be so far-fetched. One chip onto the green had some on social media platform X remarking that Murray – who also won a US Open title in 2012 – looked like a proper player. Then, to finish the day off, Murray birdied the final hole at Carnoustie. Ryder Cup hero Tyrrell Hatton was in Murray’s group on the opening day, with the former tennis star said to have even out-driven the World No. 25 on some of the fairways. “Sportsman of the day for me,” chimed one of the commentators to former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen following his birdie putt on the 18th. “You don’t know how annoying that is to watch that, it’s heart-breaking,” said the former batsman in response. “Can’t you tell how happy I am for him?!” Pepperell and Murray are due to play Kingsbarns Golf Links on Friday morning, before going around the Old Course at St Andrews on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s final round. Murray knows St Andrews’ Old Course well, having eagled the 18th there earlier this year. Known as the Tom Morris, the three-time Grand Slam winner found the hole on the 357-yard par four in just his second shot – made all the more impressive given it was his first time around the course. Murray previously spoke about his ambitions in golf at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am earlier this year, saying: “I don’t have ambitions of playing in The Open. “I want to try and play in the regional qualifying at some stage. A couple of my friends have done it, and it would just be a fun thing to do if you got to the level where you’re able to do that, I would do it, but I certainly don’t think I would have any chance of qualifying for The Open. “I’m fully aware of how good the players that play in those events are and how good the pros are in comparison to amateurs. Even guys that play off +2, 3 are miles off what these guys are.” Murray continued: “Not next year, the following year. In a couple of years’ time, I think, well, I’m hoping I’ll be at a level where I won’t totally disgrace myself, but you never know.” His ambition and talent impressed the commentators on the opening day. John E. Morgan said on Sky Sports: “Did I hear through the grapevine he wants, in a couple of years, to have a little go at qualifying for The Open, is that right?” Dominik Holyer clarified in response: “He would like to try and qualify, be good enough to try qualifying for The Open at St Andrew’s here in a couple of years’ time, you’re absolutely spot-on, John.” Morgan mused: “That’d make me feel quite bad, if he goes ahead and is able to do it, I mean, talk about multitasking, unbelievable.” Holyer quipped: “Some people just get all the talent, don’t they, John.”