Jack McDonald's Open scrapbook filling up - and he's not finished yet

The 33-year-old was happy enough to secure a second appearance in the world’s oldest major championship after coming through Final Qualifying once again at Dundonald Links, but, to his delight and family and friends as well, it has turned into one of those weeks to cherish on the Lancashire coast.

In Friday’s second round at Royal Birkdale, McDonald holed out from 114 yards for an eagle 2 at the tenth and went on to make the cut on the mark, making up for the agony he felt when coming up one shot short of achieving the feat two years ago in his native Ayrshire.

After a late finish, he was back on the first tee at 9am to hit the first shot in the third round on Saturday in the company of Russell Henley, a multiple PGA Tour winner, and it was easily the most fans McDonald had ever played in front of as he tackled the opening hole.

“It was brilliant,” he said, smiling, which, in truth, had been the case from start to finish during a four-hour round at the Southport venue. “Obviously hitting the first tee shot was pretty cool and, yeah, some feeling. I felt there were quite a lot of crowds probably until ten.”

Given that the PGA trainee professional had been due to tee up in a Tartan Tour pro-am at Bothwell Castle this weekend instead of rubbing shoulders with the world’s top names, McDonald’s opening blow of the day was mighty impressive as he smacked one 321 yards and was just off the fairway.

“There's always nerves, isn't there,” he admitted, “but it was good to have a good one, though it was obviously made easier because you’ve made the cut and everything's a bonus.”

McDonald, a Stirling University graduate, had star potential as an amateur and has won as a professional on the now defunct PGA EuroPro, as well as the Tartan Pro Tour, including a seven-shot success in last year’s Tour Championship at Trump International Golf Links.

He had a spell on the HotelPlanner Tour, finishing second in the Finnish Challenge just under three years ago and, as evidenced over the first three days here, his game can be good enough to compete at the highest level in golf.

It was no real surprise, though, to hear one of the most likeable individuals you’ll come across in life say, despite describing this performance as his best “individual achievement”, that he has no intention of being lured back into life as a tour professional after going down the PGA training route under David Orr at Whitecraigs Golf Club on Glasgow’s southside. “No, no,” he declared in an emphatic tone. “I’ve made that decision. I don’t want to go (back down that route). I’m happy and content with the way everything is just now.”

McDonald, who has James Caldwell, the PGA professional at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on his bag, will head up the M6 on Sunday night with a minimum of £29,400 in the bank from his week’s work and will be back at coalface on Tuesday.

“It’s the pinnacle of sport in my opinion,” he said of playing in The Open. “It’s amazing to be in this field and that will always be my goal. I’ll always want to keep my game sharp to try and get back here or compete in an Open because it’s such a good week.”

That scrapbook could be set for even more additions.