Ryan seeing stars on his Major debut
BY EUAN McLEAN THIS US Open hasn’t even started yet and already college kid Ryan Lumsden has priceless lessons from his heroes.
A practice round with Major legend Ernie Els and dinner with former world No.1 Luke Donald would have been a valuable enough reward for his stunning success in the sectional qualifying that earned his ticket to Shinnecock Hills.
But now the lessons will come thick and fast when the 21-year-old Scot tees off his Major debut today in the purple colours of Northwestern University in Chicago.
The amateur ace will be keen to do proud a school that already boasts Ryder Cup stars Donald and Matt Fitzpatrick among its most notable alumni.
And after picking Donald’s brains and watching two-time US Open champion Els up close in practice he insists he’s ready to give it his best shot in his biggest test yet.
Lumsden said: “It was amazing playing with Ernie. He was such a great guy, really helpful in talking me through how to play in my first pro event.
“We were signed up to play with Peter Uihlein too who is just the nicest guy in the world and through my Northwestern connection I arranged to play with Matt on Tuesday and have dinner with Luke this week.”
Today he’ll have the support of his dad Alastair – a former pro tennis player who competed on the ATP Tour – as his caddie, only adding to an already special experience.