Marcel Siem was grateful for the vociferous support of the fans as he finished his fairytale week at Royal St George's Golf Club with his best Open Championship result.
The German ended a seven year winless drought at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge last week to secure his place in the field at the final Major Championship of the 2021 Race to Dubai but admitted he almost chose to play on the European Challenge Tour again instead, such is his determination to regain his European Tour playing privileges.
But his decision to travel to England proved a wise one as, after an opening 67 on his 41st birthday, Siem carded rounds of 67-70-71 to finish at five under and in a tie for 15th.
The four time European Tour winner has never been scared to wear his heart on his sleeve and after winning the affection of the fans all week, his closing birdie on Sunday brought one of the biggest cheers of the week.
I love emotions, other players to show emotions as well. I'm very grateful for everybody who was cheering for me. Thank you
"On 18 to finish the week off like this with a birdie and the crowds were so good to me all week, it was lovely," he said.
"I was able to cheer them up a little bit on 18 as well then. It was awesome. I'm really, really happy. Thanks to everybody cheering for me.
"It was amazing. I thought, 'I have to be careful what I'm doing here'. It's a bit embarrassing maybe because I'm not winner of the tournament.
What a week that was 💪 here @TheOpen I loved every moment of it… Thanks for all the support I got from the crowds…. You were amazing and helped me big time on #mywayback👊 #theopen @EuropeanTour https://t.co/WQEQ61Dcv8
— Marcel Siem (@SiemMarcel) July 18, 2021
"But I think they want to see something like this and I felt like having the birdie as well then cheering them up, that's what they pay the money for as well.
"I love emotions, other players to show emotions as well. I'm very grateful for everybody who was cheering for me. Thank you."
Now on the tee from Germany…@SiemMarcel 💪💪💪#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/kbQ9Mpig4k
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 18, 2021
Siem revealed after his opening round that he was playing his 14th week in a row in Kent, but he will be taking a look at the Road to Mallorca Rankings before deciding whether to have a well earned rest.
"I don't know how much money I made," he said. "I didn't look at the money breakdown.
"I hope that's enough to keep my card on the Challenge Tour and if that's the case then I will take my family and have a good rest."
