Open actions hands Coupland positives

The 30-year-old Bostonian missed out on the cut following a +7 second round on Friday, where the draw and elements didn’t do him any favours.

But Coupland, who is attached to Woodhall Spa Golf Club, is refusing to let that rainsoaked day at Royal Troon dampen his spirits.

“I’ve got plenty of positives to take home with me,” said Coupland, who enlisted the help of caddy Gary Melia for the event.

“Working with a professional caddy was an important experience with things like strategy and decision making on the golf course.

“Not necessarily making aggresive shots, just building on successful ways to get through the course.

“Hopefully, I can take this forward with me.”

Thursday’s opening round went well for Coupland, whose previous appearance at the event came in 2001 at Carnoustie when he was an amateur.

Birdies on the second and 17th, plus bogeys on the 14th, 15th and 18th saw him conclude the day on +1 following a round of 72 shots.

And day two began like a dream with a birdie on the first.

But Coupland was drawn to tee off at 4.05pm, one of the final groups on day two, and as the conditions worsened he struck six bogeys and a double bogey to finish the day on +7, missing the cut with an overall +8.

“The forecast said it was going to be horrendous all day,” Coupland added.

“The day didn’t start well but got a bit better, then the winds got worse. By 3pm the rain arrived and the wind was picking up before I started, gusts of about 30mph.

“I was battling the elements and I wasn’t in the kinder half of the draw, but that happens.”

Swede Henrik Stenson shot his four rounds on -20 to claim the Claret Jug.

But Coupland was also left with his own highlights.

“I was lucky enough to spend some time with Zach Johnson, the defending champion in practice,” Coupland added.

“He gave me a few compliments and I’ll take those away with me too.”

Coupland is now hoping to get the call for the upcoming Challenge Tour event in Ireland, hoping to improve his category and get more appearaces on the tour.