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Kapur hoping for an Indian summer

Shiv Kapur says he feels like a movie celebrity in his maiden Open appearance but India's latest prospect is keeping his eye firmly on the ball this week.

The 24-year-old, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise on the Asian Tour since turning professional 18 months ago, has soaked in the atmosphere at Royal Liverpool, signing dozens of autographs during practice rounds and being greeting warmly along the streets of Hoylake.

'It's great being here,' said Kapur. 'The whole town is buzzing. People make you feel like you're a movie celebrity and all the kids want your autograph, which is good. But after a while, you need to keep your eye on the game. I think this is all part of being here and it's awesome.

'I have watched the Open all my life on TV and I don't think I will realise what it is all about until I step on to the first tee. Even during the practice rounds, the atmosphere here is great but I think the real deal only comes when the tournament starts.'

Since joining the Asian Tour last year, Kapur has established himself as one of the region's brightest talents, winning the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Thailand en route to finishing fourth on the Order of Merit in his rookie season.

This year, he has continued to sparkle with three top-15s and has impressed the likes of former US Masters champion Fred Couples, who said Kapur reminded him of Justin Leonard. Last week, the young Indian played in all four rounds of the Scottish Open.

'He's got his future ahead of him. I like his temperament. He hits the ball really solid. He's not long, he's not short. He's like Justin Leonard. I like the way he plays and I think he will do really well [in his career],' said Couples, who played with Kapur at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth earlier this year.

Kapur knows that being at the Open is a tremendous opportunity for him to announce his arrival onto the world stage.

'The last few months have been a lean patch for me. But the game is feeling good again. I've got this week, next week in Germany and the World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational coming up over the next month and it will be an exciting time,' he said.

'I'm playing the best players in the world and it's an opportunity to showcase what I have and show that I can stack up against the best.' Kapur earned his place at Royal Liverpool through the International Final Qualifying in Asia in April.

'It's great to be here and that's why we work so hard, to play in great tournaments like this,' he concluded.

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