Andy Murray Murray let out a cry of frustration, then chuckled to himself as his approach shot on the eighth hole at Wentworth plunged into the water. It was a frustrating new reality for Murray in his quest to master a second sport in golf, just weeks after retires from tennis at the Paris Olympics.
“I was pretty nervous,” Murray admitted, having He said he has not missed tennis since he retired.“I didn’t really feel my arms and legs and I hadn’t really hit any balls on the driving range before.”
After quickly turning his attention to golf and a new chapter in his life, Murray took his first ever lesson and announced his bold ambition to become a scratch golfer on social media. It has become an increasingly popular pastime for elite athletes after retirement, with Gareth Bale notably achieving it since hanging up his boots.
Even those still playing at a high level, such as Murray’s playing partner and cricket legend James Anderson, who has a 1.8 handicap. Murray, already down to a respectable 7.0, has joined his compatriot and Ryder Cup star Robert MacIntyre and flamboyant Strictly star Anton Du Beke, playing on 1.0 and eager to waltz onto the greens in a compelling BMW Championship Pro-Am.
It’s a sign of the sport’s growing appeal, with actor Tom Holland in attendance on Wednesday as hundreds gathered to watch Murray’s group. The Scot also made the most of every moment, fielding dozens of requests for autographs and selfies between holes.
“It’s a different type of nerves (from Wimbledon),” Murray explained after revealing he already trains three hours a week. “It’s a different type of nerves because you’re comfortable in that type of tennis environment. I don’t think I’m going to walk out on the tennis court and forget how to hit the ball.
“You just want to play well. Whereas here, you’re a little nervous that there’s people standing five metres away from where I’m driving, and I’m thinking I suck at this game.”
Murray’s first taste of the game came as a child at Dunblane, where he is still a member. He remembers popping onto the course at the second hole with his parents and grandparents after tennis practice or school, playing four or five holes in the twilight.
Since his last match at Roland Garros this summer, Murray has been too busy playing golf to maintain his gym routine, with five weeks since his last session, and the longest time he can remember, the 37-year-old revealed he had lost 11lbs.
Since the ‘low point’ of that wedge shot on the eighth, compounding a frustrating run after sending his tee shot into the gorse on the previous hole, there have been glimmers of real quality throughout the round.
Murray, who plays with a certain amount of sag due to his slightly exaggerated swing, remains very competitive and from the first hole, his second of the day, that famous clenched fist and roar made their appearance. MacIntyre even gave a quick tip on the swing on the ninth hole, while Murray complained: “I feel like I have to go higher (in my backswing than in tennis) but then I have to slow down.”
So how good can Murray get at his second sport? He seems keen to test his limits, and he has also confirmed that he will be making more frequent visits home to see his family in Scotland and test out his extensive collection of golf courses.
“Probably in a couple of years,” Murray said when asked how long it would take him to get back to that level. “I think so. I mean, I obviously practice a lot more than the average person. I obviously played a little bit when I was younger, and if I can get the right lessons and practice the right things, then yeah, I have a chance to do it, I think, in a couple of years.”
And as MacIntyre prepared for his first round tomorrow, looking to build on a stunning year following victories at the Canadian and Scottish Opens, he praised Murray’s ability and future in the sport.
“He was good. For a guy who didn’t play a lot of golf, he played when he was younger, but obviously during his tennis career he didn’t play as much,” MacIntyre said.
“But he said he had been training a lot before this game, and I thought he was good. For someone who hasn’t played a lot, I thought he was good, and I mean, he changed clubs yesterday, I think. So I was very impressed with his play. He’ll be out in no time.”
