Jackson Suber’s stunning admission after storming into early Open Championship lead

Jackson Suber has revealed the remarkable secret behind his stunning start to The Open Championship — this week’s trip to Royal Birkdale is his first ever visit to Europe.

Despite having never previously played golf on this side of the Atlantic, the 26-year-old American raced to the top of the leaderboard on Thursday with a brilliant five-under-par 65 on his Open Championship debut.

Suber, making just his third major appearance, produced a superb display of links golf to lead the 154th Open by one shot after the first round.

Even more impressively, he had played just 27 holes of links golf before Thursday — with his first experience coming during a practice round at Royal Birkdale on Monday.

Scroll down to watch Suber's shock revelation to reporters... 

The American quickly looked at home on the famous Southport layout, handling the firm greens, thick rough and challenging coastal conditions better than almost anyone in the 156-player field on Thursday. 

“I've been hitting the driver well, and I feel like I'm a good iron player,” Suber said after his round.

“Just a lot of long irons into these holes. I think that suits my eye. Then just chipping, I like chipping off tight, firm surfaces. Kind of feeling comfortable with that, I think, is important for me.”

Suber admitted he prepared for his first Open by watching YouTube videos of Royal Birkdale before arriving in England — and it appears the course suits his game perfectly.

The American was particularly impressive off the tee and around the greens, with his round highlighted by a superb eagle on the par-five 17th after rolling in a six-foot putt.

“I think this golf course fits me,” Suber added.

“I like hitting driver. I like hitting irons. I like playing around the greens.”

Jackson Suber keeps his focus — and avoids driving in England

While Suber has enjoyed parts of his first European visit, including sampling the café culture in nearby Liverpool, he has avoided one famous British experience.

Driving on the left-hand side of the road.

Asked by reporters whether he had attempted to drive in England, Suber simply replied: “No.”

When asked why, his answer showed exactly where his priorities are.

“Because I’m trying to make it here for four days.”

A calm response from a player who is fully focused on one thing — lifting the Claret Jug.

Suber leads The Open after first round

Suber holds a slender one-shot lead at Royal Birkdale after day one of golf’s oldest major championship.

Sungjae Im and Dan Brown sit tied for second on four-under-par, while Bryson DeChambeau, Robert MacIntyre and Cameron Young are among the notable names three shots back at three-under par. 

World No.1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler also made a strong start, opening with a two-under-par 68 as he attempts to become the first player since Padraig Harrington in 2008 to successfully defend The Open title.

Rory McIlroy has work to do after carding a two-over-par 72, leaving him seven shots behind Suber heading into Friday’s second round.

The projected cut currently sits around two-over-par, although conditions could become more difficult if the wind strengthens.

Who is Jackson Suber?

Suber is a 26-year-old American professional golfer from Tampa, Florida, who earned his PGA Tour card after finishing 20th on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour points list.

The former Ole Miss standout enjoyed an exceptional amateur career, becoming the first golfer in university history to reach No.1 in the Golfstat national rankings.

During his college career, Suber won five individual titles and earned multiple All-American and All-SEC honours.

He turned professional in 2022 and worked his way through PGA Tour Canada and the Korn Ferry Tour before earning his full PGA Tour membership.

Suber’s breakthrough on the PGA Tour has started to arrive, with a tie for sixth at the Sony Open in Hawaii and a career-best solo fourth finish at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May. 

To those who have been charting Suber's rise, his fast start at the 154th Open will come as no surprise.

Suber arrived at Royal Birkdale in excellent form, having recorded three top-10 finishes in his previous six starts on the PGA Tour, including a tied fourth at last month's RBC Canadian Open and tied sixth in his last start the John Deere Classic. 

Now ranked 115th in the world, Suber has suddenly found himself in the spotlight at golf’s final major of the season.

Can Jackson Suber become only the 11th Open debut winner?

Suber is chasing a slice of Open Championship history.

Only 10 players have ever won the Claret Jug on their first appearance at the tournament, with Collin Morikawa the most recent player to achieve the feat in 2021.

Players to win on their Open Championship debut