Move Over, Michael Block: South African Amateur Takes the Open Championship By Storm

California course pro Michael Block made a name for himself by coming out of nowhere to log a top-15 finish at the PGA Championship in May. But as incredible as that feat was, it’s got nothing on what South African amateur Christo Lamprecht is cooking up at The Open Championship.

The 22-year-old senior at Georgia Tech is co-leading the 151^st tournament, affectionately known as the British Open, and his presence isn’t the only thing looming large at Royal Liverpool.

At 6-foot-8, Open co-leader Christo Lamprecht is used to towering over his competitors. pic.twitter.com/oTSD18hSnN

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) July 20, 2023

Lamprecht, who is tied with Tommy Fleetwood at -5 to lead the tournament by two strokes after 18 holes, stands at 6 feet, 8 inches tall.

“I mean, as an amateur, yes, it is [surprising],” Lamprecht said. “But in my own head, no, it’s not. I think I’m very hard on myself, and I think I earned my spot to be here. I think the way I played today, I earned to be on the top of the leaderboard, as of now.

“It’s not a cocky thing to say. I just personally think I believe in myself.”

What a shot. What a day for Christo Lamprecht. pic.twitter.com/RdWODgk8Dl

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2023

Lamprecht qualified for this major, along with next year’s Masters and U.S. Open, by winning the British Amateur earlier this summer. But if things continue, he might earn some more exemptions by the time the weekend is over.

But there is reason to temper expectations. Tom Lewis led this tournament as an amateur in 2011 after shooting a 65 in the first round at Royal St. George’s. None of his other three rounds came close to par, and he finished 30^th.

Cover Image via Sporting News