16/1 Jordan staying grounded after record start

Matthew Jordan is refusing to get carried away after he hit a course-record nine-under-par 63 to lead the Betfred British Masters at Southport by two shots after Thursday’s first round (16/1 – Tournament Outright).

The 23-year-old, who hails from nearby Hoylake, is featuring in only his 12th event as a professional having stepped up from the amateur ranks last September.

Jordan required an invite to feature but has grasped the opportunity with both hands as he fired five birdies on the front nine to sit in a four-way lead, before surging ahead when picking up four more shots to finish with a bogey-free round.

Fellow Englishman Matt Wallace, who is 9/2 with Betfred to win the British Masters, is lurking just two strokes behind with Swede Marcus Kinhult joining him on seven-under.

England’s Lee Westwood, Belgian Thomas Detry and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay sit another shot back and are all well-placed to launch an assault on the lead which is why Jordan is keeping his feet on the ground.

He said: “I knew I had been playing quite well and just from the get-go it started perfectly and from then on I just kept it going.

“You start to realise you’re doing quite well because more people turn up and you see a couple of cameras. I was nervous maybe for a couple of holes, like around 11 and 12, and then I settled back into it which was strange.

“It’s only 18 holes. I’m just going to do what I need to do now and kind of refocus because I know it’s going to be tough tomorrow. I need to get into that mindset to go again tomorrow.”

Tournament host Tommy Fleetwood (7/1 Outright) sits in a group of 11 players five shots off the lead, after he carded an eagle, three birdies and bogey on his way to a first-round 68, while defending champion Eddie Pepperell (33/1 Outright) is two strokes further back but remains upbeat with 54 holes to go.

Odds subject to change.