The Open: British Amateur champion Harry Ellis targets the Silver Medal
By Sam Drury
Last Updated: 20/07/17 8:21am
British Amateur champion Harry Ellis is targeting the Silver Medal as he competes in his first major at The 146th Open this week.
Having registered and signed in at Royal Birkdale, the 21-year-old from Hampshire got his first taste of what it is like to be in the limelight as he posed for his Sky Sports on-screen graphics before heading out to acclimatise himself with the course.
And Ellis, who became the youngest winner of the English Amateur Championship at the age 16, is keen to get started.
"I can't wait to hit the first tee shot," he told Sky Sports. "That's why you work hard, you dream about those moments and then walking down the 18th hole with the grandstands all around it, it's very special."
Ellis has loftier ambitions than just to take part though and hopes to be involved in the presentation ceremony come Sunday evening.
"One of my goals this week is to get the Silver Medal," he said. "Making the cut, I'm not really worried about that, if I do my own thing and play the golf I know I can play then I don't think that will be a problem.
"Then competing for that Silver Medal and being in the presentation on Sunday afternoon would be fantastic. We'll see how it goes, I think my game is in a good spot, mentally I feel good so I'm just ready to go."
After playing with US Open champion Brooks Koepka earlier in the week, Ellis' final practice round was an all-Hampshire affair alongside Justin Rose and Richard Bland.
"I'm just trying to pick their brains really, there is a lot of experience between the two," he added. "It's an absolute pleasure to play with them and see what I can get from them."
The youngster certainly seemed to make an impression with Rose particularly complimentary of Ellis' opening tee shot.
"It's nice to play with the young lads and try and impart anything from my 19 years of experience that I can," the former US Open champion and Olympic gold medallist said. "But they don't seem to need much these days.
"The first shot I really saw Harry hit was the first tee shot this morning and it sounded pretty pure so he'll be all right!"
