TJ Ford is relishing being back in Rosses Point for the second time in a matter of weeks as he got his Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship campaign off to a bright start.
The County Sligo member will be hoping to fly the flag for the locals over the weekend and after enduring some on course struggles over the last couple of seasons he was delighted to card an opening 68 at a place he loves so much.
“It was really good, it was a really enjoyable round. We got some really nice weather, the course was fantastic and it was a good morning’s work,” said Ford who is two shots off the pace on three-under.
The former South of Ireland winner would dearly love to win a West of Ireland at his home golf club but he would rightly settle for an Irish Amateur title this week.
Ford started well with three birdies in five holes as he took advantage of the beautiful morning conditions. He dropped shots on the notoriously tricky sixth and seventh holes but bounced back with a well earned birdie on 8.
After a birdie on ten he closed out with eight straight pars as the wind began to strengthen along the tough closing stretch, but he was happy to have built his score earlier in the round.
“A couple of par fives early if you can make birdies on them it gives you momentum heading into 6, 7 and 8 which are always really challenging. Got off to a nice start, three under through five then dropped a couple but battled nicely to three-under-par.
“It makes a big difference, it’s always tough we got a lovely morning but if the wind picks up it will be tough to make birdies. Same wind we had in the West, into off the left on the way home so it is tricky so it was nice to put up a score.”
There is always an added pressure when playing a championship at home but Ford is enjoying being back at his home club and has a smile on his face.
“It’s always really enjoyable, I love coming home for a couple of days, everyone wishes you well too. I haven’t played as well as I would have liked over the last couple of years but it’s nice to get off to a good start. I love coming home and there’s always a great feel about the place.”
