Updated

On a typical Thursday at 10.30 a.m., John Singleton would be making paints and varnishes in a resin factory. Maybe driving around in a forklift truck.

Not this Thursday morning.

On this one-off occasion, Singleton was whipping up spectators moments before taking his first shot at the British Open at Royal Liverpool, 10 minutes down the road from his usual place of work.

"That was probably one of the best times of my life," he says, with a huge grin. "I just wanted to enjoy it. I may never get the chance again."

With friends, relatives and co-workers among the vast crowds cheering him on throughout his opening round, Singleton wound up shooting a 6-over 78. He probably won't be making the weekend at Hoylake but that matters little to the 30-year-old qualifier.

Singleton says, "I just played in the Open championship. I can always take that away with me."