Teder breaking ground for Estonia at the Open

Amateur who will make his major debut at Portrush took up the game by accident after an aunt won golf vouchers

- Ewan Murray

We know already about Richard Teder suggests his Open Championship debut may provide essential viewing when he becomes the first golfer from Estonia to tee it up in the oldest major. He qualified by holing out from 90 yards in a sudden-death playoff, a euphoric scene which preceded the eating of half a doner kebab for dinner.

Teder picked up golf by accident, finds the sport straightforward and learned English via YouTube. There are far more illustrious names in the field at Royal Portrush but few competitors have such a backstory.

"The job is not finished yet, right?" says the 20-year-old with an air of endearing confidence. "There is still some golf to be played. I don't see this as pressure. I am just very grateful to be the one from Estonia who happens to be very good at golf."

At West Lancashire, Teder leapt for joy after holing his second shot at a par four to seal his Open berth. He shoots back a glance - as in, "don't be ridiculous" - when asked whether he felt remotely sorry for his two opponents.