Andy Murray's true feelings on playing in The Open after stunning golf debut

Andy Murray has already established his legacy in tennis but is now attempting to make his mark in golf and commented on the possibility of playing in The Open Championship

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Andy Murray already admitted he'd find playing in The Open Championship "fun" following an impressive debut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The tennis icon, who won three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals, retired from the sport last August but has enjoyed renewed competition on the links in recent months.

Murray, 38, made headlines during his participation in numerous pro-am tournaments, including his inclusion in the last two editions of the BMW PGA Championship. He's since taken his golfing activities a step further by competing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

With the competition held in his native Scotland, Murray is playing in the team championship and has teamed up with professional golfer Eddie Pepperell at Carnoustie. Despite Murray's novice status, he and Pepperell combined to finish seven under after the first 18 holes as the pair sit 10 shots behind event leaders Jack Senior and Dery Desmond.

Murray earned plaudits after he was said to out-driven Tyrell Hatton at some points with the Ryder Cup hero competing at the event days after Team Europe's 15-13 victory at Bethpage Black.

The Scotsman is under no illusion that even qualifying for events is a tall order but that hasn't stopped the ambitious Murray from setting the lofty goal of playing at The Open in 2027.

Speaking to The Times last month, he admitted the possibility of trying to qualify for the historic major would be an alluring opportunity but one he can only take advantage of if he improves his skills enough. "A couple of my friends who are very good golfers have done it," he said. "If I can improve enough, I think it would be a fun thing to do.

"I played in the club championships at Beaverbrook a few months ago and I loved it. It was the most fun I’d had playing golf and the more I play, the less I enjoy just playing socially. I don’t know if I’ll be capable of entering, but I want to try and play in a few more events.

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"I’ve been pretty amazed at how willing the pros are to help because spending five hours with people who are hacking it around probably isn’t that enjoyable."

Murray certainly seems eager enough to better himself on the links. Given his sponsorship deal with club manufacturer Callaway, who are organising lessons for him with trusted coaches, the two-time Wimbledon champion is putting his best foot forward ahead of 2027.

The tennis great even revealed that due to the sheer amount of time he's committing to golf, his children have been left believing he's a professional golfer. He added: "My kids think I’m a golfer. They say, 'Daddy, why do you play every day?' I didn’t really play for 12 years because I had a back operation in my mid-twenties and I was sore when I practised.

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"Thankfully, it’s been pretty good since I finished — I think tennis was the main issue — and I just really enjoy it. I guess it has filled a bit of a void. It is something to practise and get better at and there are so many different parts of the game you can work on, and I don’t find that boring."

The decades Murray spent perfecting his craft on the tennis court means the grind of improving himself in golf is an arduous process he's become accustomed to. "If I don’t have any commitments, I’ll arrive at 9am and stay there until I have to pick the kids back up from school," he continued. "I think that comes from my career as a professional athlete.

"I’m used to spending all day at the training centre and going to the gym, doing your physio work, that’s normal for me. I know I’m doing more than most but I’m in a position where I’m able to because I don’t have to work during the week."