England's Greg Owen admitted it was nice to be recognised once again after an opening 68 in the 144th Open Championship.
Owen has spent the last 11 years in the United States but is still looking for his first win on the PGA Tour, having lost his card at the e nd of 2010 and finishing 134th and 208th on the money list in the last two seasons.
However, the 43-year-old from Mansfield finished second and sixth in two of his last three events - the latter performance securing his place at St Andrews - and carried on that good form with five birdies and one bogey on Thursday.
"I'm delighted," said Owen, who carded an albatross on the 11th hole at Royal Lytham in 2001. " I played really well, birdied the first and 18th and was pretty steady in between. I made one mistake hitting it into a fairway bunker on the 13th and that was probably the straightest shot I hit all day!
"It looks like the wind and rain is coming tomorrow so I was very fortunate with the tee time (in the first group at 0632), but you still have to take control and make it count. You have to get through 12 holes the best you can and then 13, 15, 16 and 17 are never easy.
"It's nice to come back and people still recognise you. I am unknown in the States but am getting great support over here.
" I miss a lot of things about England but we have a great life. The kids have such good opportunities but there are certain things you miss, like watching Nottingham Forest play. The kids have full American accents. My accent has changed a bit but I can't help it. I don't notice it but everybody else does."
Asked what had turned his season around, Owen - who won the 2003 British Masters - added: " Old thoughts from back in European Tour days. I was getting away from what I was good at and now I'm striking it a lot better.
"The last three or four years have been pretty average so you either call it a day or work on it and I'm not one to call it a day."
Source: PA
