Andy Smith’s Open debut ended with a trip to the physio after a lower arm injury hampered his opening round at Royal St George’s.

Smith, from Tudor Park, finished 11 over after halves of 40 and 41 having stopped using his driver over the closing holes.

The 26-year-old, from Loose, revealed he was experiencing pain in his left arm, but refused to use that as an excuse for his performance.

He explained: “It’s been happening all week. It’s like a repetitive strain injury. It’s where it’s been windy and I’ve been practising punch shots, hitting the ball low and the ground is so firm, it’s not really been taking divots and it’s just digging into the ground, so it’s just a lot of strain.

“I hit a lot of balls because I wanted to make sure I was properly warmed up on the first tee, but I stopped hitting with the driver for the last few holes because it was hurting.

“It’s been hurting for the past week but it got a lot worse towards the end today.”

Smith enjoyed something of a stop start first nine, going bogey, par, for the first six holes, but another par at the seventh was followed by two bogeys to leave him five over at the turn.

His second nine was punctuated by double bogeys at the 11th and 14th, and two more bogeys at the 17th and 18th hole saw him back in 41.

Smith admitted he was disappointed he had not done himself justice but he said he had still thoroughly enjoyed his day and that the support of family and friends had helped keep his spirits up.

He said: “The first tee shot was incredible, everyone there applauding but towards the end it did not feel like it I was playing in the Open

“The thing I really struggled with out there was reading the greens and when I got on the course I was leaving every putt three foot short.

“But I keep telling myself that I’m in the Open Championship which means the world. I don’t want to stand here and make excuses and try to say I could have played better if... when there are so many people out there who would give their left arm to be in my position. I’m just happy that I’ve played in the Open Championship.

“My family and friends have been amazing following me all the way round, cheering me on even when my head was trying to go down. I was doing my best for them but at the end of the day what happens happens and I will try to improve on that tomorrow."

Picture: Barry Goodwin