Superb Schmid seals Silver Medal

Matthias Schmid completed a wonderful week at The 149th Open by securing the Silver Medal in Sunday’s final round.

A back-to-back winner of the European Amateur Championship in 2019 and 2020, Schmid made history on Friday by equalling the lowest score by an amateur at The Open, shooting 65 to match Tom Lewis’ performance at Royal St George’s in 2011.

That round put the German firmly in pole position to finish as the low amateur and he achieved the feat with a degree of comfort courtesy of scores of 71 and 72 over the weekend.

Schmid’s 282 aggregate (74-65-71-72) left him four clear of China’s Yuxin Lin (69-72-74-71), the other amateur to make the weekend in Sandwich.

As a result, he becomes the first Silver Medal winner since Sam Locke at Carnoustie in 2018, with no amateur having made the cut at Royal Portrush two years ago.

The highlight of Schmid’s Sunday came at the par-5 7th, where a tremendous approach enabled him to match playing partner Lee Westwood’s eagle.

Lin was delighted to have played all four rounds at Royal St George's, after he made the cut with a tremendous up-and-down from the sand at 18 on Friday.

"This week is just an unbelievable experience for me. Being able to play on the weekend, playing two extra rounds with the best players in the world, it's just a great experience," said Lin.

"I've learned a lot this week ... more about my game and areas to improve and what I'm doing well. I'm just really looking forward to the rest of the year."