(Hoylake) After crouching to put his ball on the tee, Christo Lamprecht – a six-foot-eight giant – straightened up and slammed a resounding tee shot down the fairway from over 350 yards.

“Have you seen the size of that guy? exclaimed a spectator outside the ropes that line the 18th fairway, as the 22-year-old South African headed for his ball, the cuffs of his pants too short to cover his stockings.

Lamprecht’s first round, an amateur golfer, at the British Open was memorable, and for many spectators too.

At some point on Thursday at Royal Liverpool, Lamprecht – a student at Georgia Tech University – was leading the tournament by three strokes. He eventually turned in a 66 (minus-5), and was almost certain to finish the first round among the leaders.

So, was he surprised to come out of total anonymity so abruptly?

“As an amateur golfer, definitely yes,” admitted Lamprecht, who has been a top prospect in the United States for two years. But in my head, no, it doesn’t surprise me. I am very demanding of myself, and I have earned my place here. »

Earlier this month, Lamprecht won the amateur tournament at Hillside, a course an hour’s drive from the Irish Sea, earning his place in the British Open in the process.

And today, it dominates the table of the oldest major tournament on the planet. He even defeated his playing partner and compatriot Louis Oosthuizen by eight strokes. This result was very significant for Lamprecht, who benefited from the foundation of Oosthuizen in South Africa to hatch into the world of golf.

“I felt a bit more comfortable (on the course) knowing that I was playing with someone I know very well and he has always acted as a mentor to me,” Lamprecht said of the 2010 British Open champion.

“He (Oosthuizen) supported me unconditionally, and he continued to do so throughout the round,” added the South African.