Heysham's Senior ready for big stage at The Open

Heysham’s former amateur star will line up for the biggest tournament of his life at Royal Troon this week, taking on the likes of Rory McIlroy.

The 27-year-old however insists he’s going to relish the big stage.

Senior, who still lives in Overton with mum and dad Sue and John said: “You have got to treat it as any other tournament but when you turn up it’s hard to treat it as any other tournament.

“You probably get a man walking his dog round watching on the Challenge Tour.

“But I’ve played a few European Tour events this year and that’s going to stand me in good stead.

“I played the Nordea 
Masters and there was a grandstand around the 16th, there was plenty of people watching.

“The big thing is just getting ready to hear ‘on the tee from England, Jack Senior’ and once you hear that you think, right, I’m here and I’ve got to try and perform to the best of my ability.”

The Challenge Tour winner’s Open campaign begins at 3.32pm on Thursday alongside England’s James Heath and American Brian Gay.

The trio then start their second round at 10.31am on Friday as they bid to make the weekend.

Having elected not to play on the Challenge Tour last week in Slovakia Senior arrived at Troon on Sunday ahead of three days of practice.

Senior said: “It’s going to be a busy week.

“It’s just basically getting a feel for the atmosphere.

“I’m going to feel at home on the course.

“It’s a typical links course more than anything.

“It looks tricky, the back nine especially.

“There’s plenty of chances on the front nine but your turn, 10, 11 and the finish is a tough stretch of holes.”