"My amateur record wasn't anything to write home about; I was not as interested in the amateur side as perhaps I should have been; I just wanted to turn pro."

Recognised as one of the longest hitters in the southern hemisphere, his time is now split jointly between the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, where he first claimed his card in 2009, playing alongside George Coetzee and major champions, Retief Goosen, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen and the EuroPro Tour in the UK.

"I've led a couple of Sunshine tournaments going into the last day but wasn't able to capitalise but I'm gaining valuable experience and my Open appearance can only be a big help," he says.

Darryn finished 21st in Zimbabwe and tied third in Swaziland earlier this month and was runner-up in two Big Easy Development Tour events in Johannesburg and Pretoria. He plays a couple more events, including the Zambia Sugar Open, before returning to the UK in June to prepare for Muirfield.

"My ambition is to be a worldwide golfer and the Open is a great opportunity and a great place to start."

What's in Darryn Lloyd's bag

Driver: Ping G15 (9.5 deg) Aldila Prototype shaft.

Fairway wood: Ping i15 (14 degree) Aldila prototype shaft

Irons (2-PW): Ping S56 black spot, X100 shafts

Wedges: Ping Gorge (54 and 60 deg) X100 True Temper Gold

Putter: Odyssey White Hot No.6 (original)

Ball: Titleist ProV1x 

Shoes and glove: FootJoy

Clothing: Dunlop Collection