Tom Sloman is preparing to make his major tournament debut after qualifying for the Open Championship, 25 years on from attending the event as a young fan.
Taunton-born Sloman, who turned 30 last week, qualified for The Open – which starts on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport – by winning firstly at Ferndown Golf Club, and then coming in joint-third at home course Burnham and Berrow where he finished his two rounds eight under par.
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Coming through the ranks at Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club, Sloman turned professional after representing England and Ireland in the 2019 Walker Cup.
He will play his first two rounds this week alongside New Zealander and fellow regional qualifier Kazuma Kobori, as well as Irish amateur David Howard, teeing off on Thursday at 10:42 BST.
Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Sloman reflected on his golfing past, and vowed he was not going “just to make up the numbers.”
‘I think my mum cried’
“I think I started [playing] when I was about four. My dad took me to a local course in Taunton,” he said.
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“My dad used to help out Dave Dixon a little bit when he was at Enmore [Golf Club]. He played in The 2001 Open [finishing tied for 30th] and that was the first time I went to The Open.
“He played with Vijay Singh and that’s the only time I’ve been to The Open so, my second time, 25 years later, I’m playing it so that’s pretty cool.”
A laid-back character by nature, Sloman admitted there were some jitters when he qualified alongside LIV golfer Caleb Surratt and James Nicholas for the event at Burnham and Berrow at the end of June when he shot a six-under round of 65.
“[It was] very nerve-racking to be honest with you, everyone was congratulating me. I had about 90 texts I think,” he added.
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“I knew that there were two more people that could catch me so I didn’t reply to anyone, and after Brandon’s [Robinson-Thompson] putt missed, it was great to be fair. I think my mum cried.
“There’s not many opportunities to qualify for a major. I’ve done USA qualifying once. It’s got a bit easier now there’s five spots in qualifying but it’s quite tough.”
Tom Sloman played a practice round at Royal Birkdale last week [Getty Images]
Sloman has prepared for the 154th edition of The Open by playing Birkdale last week.
Since the course last held the tournament nine years ago, it has seen a major revamp on the back nine, with the former par three 14th hole removed, the par five 15th hole relocated and becoming the 14th, as well as a new par three 15th hole inserted.
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“There’s not many drivers actually, I think I hit one driver [in total],” he added.
“It’s definitely going to be challenging. If the wind gets up through the week, the scoring won’t be fantastic – that probably suits me a little bit better.
“I think I’ll be fine to be fair. There will be a few first tee nerves, that’s expected of everyone.
“It’s where you want to be ultimately, isn’t it? I’ve just got to crack on with my own game and I’m capable of making the cut – we’ll see where it goes.
“If I get in the top 10 or something, it’s going to be massive, obviously financially as well.
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“I want to actually do well and just enjoy it. I want to play well and see where it gets me.”
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