THOMAS THURLOWAY gets the chance to make an early impression on his Open debut.

The Sussex amateur tees off among the second pairing at 6.46am tomorrow at Royal Portrush in County Antrim.

Thurloway, 21, has been drawn with Argentinian Emiliano Grillo and South Korean Sung Kang for the opening two rounds of his first major.

The English Amateur champion practised with Tommy Fleetwood yesterday and was set to rejoin him on the course today alongside 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose.

Thurloway qualified for the Open with back-to-back rounds of 69 at Notts Hollinwell earlier this month, claiming the second of three places up for grabs at the Final Qualifying event after sinking a 20-foot putt to birdie the last hole.

West Hove coach Ryan Fenwick reckons Thurloway raises his game for the big occasion.

Fenwick coached Thurloway both for Sussex and England and teamed up with him again two years ago.

Last year Thurloway went on an incredible run of success as he claimed the Sussex amateur title, the prestigious Walton Heath Trophy a week later and then the English Amateur Championship.

Fenwick believes he knows what makes Thurloway tick - and that is good news for his chances at the Open.

“He’s the kind of lad where in the smaller events he doesn’t really perform," said Fenwick. “We’re starting to believe now it’s because he is not really stimulated enough.

“When the pressure is on – or there is a real carrot dangled at him – he loves it.

“That’s when he responds and it would not surprise me if he pulled off a result.”