Scot Paul Lawrie admits he may have to invite himself to his own tournament in a fortnight's time unless he wins a second Open title this week.
The 46-year-old currently does not qualify for the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play, which he is hosting at the Murcar Links in Aberdeen.
However, after opening the 144th championship with his second-best score in the Open, the winner of the 1999 Claret Jug has given himself a chance of avoiding the awkwardness of parachuting himself into his own tournament.
"I think I might get in if I win this week. Maybe it's too late, I don't know," he said after an opening six-under 66 left him a shot adrift of leader Dustin Johnson at St Andrews.
"As I stand I need to invite myself to my own tournament, which I will do, obviously.
"We announced John Daly as an invite on Monday and we're all very excited about that, and the second invite will be me as it stands.
"It's only the first round so there's a long way to go. There's an unbelievable amount of world-class players playing this week so I'm not even thinking about Sunday as of yet.
"Right now I'm thinking about my lunch. I'm pretty hungry."
Lawrie, like many of the early starters, took advantage of what were likely to be the easiest conditions of the week to post a good score.
With Thursday's morning groups expected to get the rough end of worsening weather on Friday afternoon, Lawrie knew he had to make the most of what was on offer.
"Obviously it was quite calmish this morning, so it's important to take advantage of those conditions if you can," he added.
"I have actually won tournaments in nice weather, not just bad weather, so it doesn't matter what comes. I don't wish for it.
"But when it does come there's not much you can do about it, you've just got to play your game and do what you can do and shoot the best score you can shoot.
"Getting upset about it or getting frustrated about the weather is going to cost you shots."
Source: PA
