It started with a quick chat and photo with US superstar and reigning British Open champion Jordan Spieth.
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Then Woonona’s Thomas Heaton got down to business.
The teenage talent teed off at the Junior Open Championship on the Eden Course at St Andrews on Monday (AEST), where he finished with a one-under 69 after recovering from bogeys on his opening two holes.
But it came after the thrill of his fledgling golf career, when he stood with Spieth during the opening ceremony.
The biennial event is open to all nations who are invited to send their best under 16 boys and girls to compete.
Current Masters Champion Patrick Reed boasts a junior British Open title to his name in 2007.
Woonona Golfer Thomas Heaton has made a solid start at the Junior British Open which got underway on the Eden Course at St. Andrews in Scotland overnight.
After the nervous start, Heaton settled down and played faultless golf for the rest of the day, making birdies on the 9th, 16th and 17th, to sign in tied for sixth.
South African Martin Vorster leads the event after carding a four under par 66, with play continuing on Tuesday (AEST).
Long regarded as a future Australian star in the Illawarra, Heaton shot to prominence when he fired a hole-in-one at the NSW Open last year, during his first round at a professional tournament.
Spieth is among the favourites when the British Open begins at Carnoustie on Thursday night (AEST).
Meanwhile, Flinders’ Travis Smyth faded at the Indonesian Open, carding a three over par 75 to finish in a tie for 53rd at the Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta.
Smyth began the week hopeful, however the high heat and super quick greens took their toll.
“I was happy to make another cut, as I didn’t get of to a great start this trip, but It’s so hot out there.
“The greens are as quick as, maybe running at 12 ( on the stump meter). I Could have been two or three under every day, butit just didn’t happen],” Smyth said.
Ten weeks of almost daily grind on the golf course has taken it’s toll on the 23-year-old, who has said he is ready for some time off.
“I’ve been away 10 weeks now, time to take a break.”
Smyth turned professional last year and has announced he will defend his Northern Territory PGA crown next month.
