Jamie Donaldson will launch his bid for Open success with modest hopes and even smaller expectations.
The Welshman whose famous shot secured the Ryder Cup for Europe two years ago has admitted he is in a career slump as he prepares for Royal Troon’s opening round on Thursday.
Donaldson knows his chances of making the Ryder Cup team for this year’s event in the USA are remote after a poor run of form he believes stems from fatigue as he attempted to complete a busy tournament schedule spanning both sides of the Atlantic.
With only four counting events left ahead of the clash in Minnesota, the world No74 is well off the pace needed to make one of the nine automatic places.
His chances of gaining a captain’s pick also look remote unless he can pick up form in the weeks ahead and sway Darren Clarke to go for his experience.
Donaldson, fresh from another missed cut at the Scottish Open last week, told the Express: “I’ve played a lot of golf – too much golf – and I’ve been here there and everywhere. I’m tired and cooked because I’m trying to play in America and over here.
“I have no expectations whatsoever now for the Open. I’ve just missed four cuts in a row and I’m tired.
“If you play there and stay there and live there and play for periods of time it’s fine. In the past I’ve done a three-month stretch and that’s the only way to do it.
“This year I’ve been back and forth, back and forth and it’s been tough. You want to compete and win tournaments but it’s not been that way.
“Unfortunately it’s trial and error and the problem is I’m 40 and not getting any younger. It’s so difficult to get your schedule right – I’m 40 and I still can’t get it right.
“I’ve played too much and I’m now playing catch-up. You have to play well and not be fatigued.
“Playing in the Ryder Cup is the best thing ever. I have to try and play well to force my way in somehow. I need a miracle. But you never know with golf. Sometimes when you are at your lowest you can play your best.
“I have to show winning form to get in that team.”
Donaldson will hope playing with former Open champions Louis Oosthuizen and Padriag Harrington in the first round at 8.25am on Thursday provides him with the spark he badly needs.