Knipes to get 'back to work' after Open frustration

Curtis Knipes featured in his second major at Royal Portrush

Essex golfer Curtis Knipes is aiming to get straight "back to work" following his first major appearance in six years.

The 24-year-old returned to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, for the 153rd Open, having made his major debut at the same course six years earlier.

Knipes said he was "disappointed" to miss the cut by five shots after finishing six-over-par for his first two rounds but is already looking ahead.

"Really, I'm just going to be prepping now for [DP World Tour] Q-School because I am not really doing anything on either Order of Merits that I've been playing on," he told BBC Radio Essex.

"[Q-School will be] brutal. I'm likely going to have to go through all three stages unless I do something special so it's going to be pretty tough but [my] game's been trending nicely. I know where to tidy up so back to work."

Knipes, from Chelmsford, came through qualifying to earn a second visit to Royal Portrush, six years after becoming the youngest player to feature in the 148th Open at the same venue, in 2019, aged 18.

After a two-over-par first round of 73, Knipes followed that with a four-over-par second round of 75 on Friday to end his involvement before the weekend.

Knipes, who mainly plays on the HotelPlanner (Challenge) Tour, added: "[I'm] pretty disappointed. I feel like I've just not been sharp enough the last couple of days.

"I didn't make a birdie [in second round]. Putter was very, very cold. If I actually putted well then maybe there would have been half a chance of making the cut. [I was] just a bit too off really.

"You don't get many chances around here and I gave myself a good few looks, especially on the back nine and just couldn't convert.

"You have a glimmer of hope and it strips right away from you so it's pretty tough."