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British Open: Baldwin hits 'terrifying' opening shot after missing World Cup semi due to early start
By STEVE DOUGLAS, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Matthew Baldwin had the honor of hitting the opening tee shot of the British Open at Royal Birkdale, where the Englishman has been a member for 23 years after growing up in the area. It meant needing a 3:30 a.m. alarm. It also meant missing one of his country’s biggest e...
Key takeaway It also meant missing one of his country’s biggest ever [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
For golf enthusiasts in the McAllen area, Matthew Baldwin's experience at the British Open is a fascinating tale of dedication and sacrifice. While the Rio Grande Valley may be far from Royal Birkdale, local golfers can appreciate the challenges of early morning tee times, especially during the summer months when temperatures can soar. Baldwin's 3:30 a.m. alarm is a stark reminder that success in golf often requires a rigorous schedule and unwavering commitment. As the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area continues to grow and develop its own golf scene, stories like Baldwin's can inspire local players to push themselves to new heights, even if it means making sacrifices along the way. The British Open may be an international event, but its themes of perseverance and passion resonate with golfers everywhere, including those in the Rio Grande Valley.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Matthew Baldwin had the honor of hitting the opening tee shot of the British Open at Royal Birkdale, where the Englishman has been a member for 23 years after growing up in the area. It meant needing a 3:30 a.m. alarm. It also meant missing one of his country’s biggest e...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by STEVE DOUGLAS, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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