Dan Brown confident ahead of Czech Masters following impressive major debut

Brown held the outright lead after the opening round at Royal Troon on his major debut after coming through qualifying, and was just a shot off the pace after 54 holes.

The 29-year-old played the final round alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler as he carded a closing 74 to finish in a tie for 10th and now has his sights set on a second DP World Tour title at PGA National Oaks Prague.

"The Open was obviously very positive and I probably look back at it with more fond memories than when I was actually there," Brown said.

"You get a bit engrossed in the whole atmosphere and you're playing and you're there and you're trying to do a job.

"I think I learned that I can hold my own under the biggest pressure and against the best players and I felt comfortable. It didn't feel like I was playing in a major, it just felt like a normal golf tournament, which was nice.

"Obviously you feel a bit of pressure but it was just the same as when you're in contention out here. I'm not putting any more pressure on it than I would do normally, just go out and see what happens and hopefully at the end of the week you're there or thereabouts.

"I don't set goals. I find I put too much pressure on myself and if I don't achieve those goals then I get a little bit aggravated and more frustrated than I normally would so I just try and enjoy it."

Brown's friend Todd Clements will attempt to defend the title he won last year courtesy of a superb final round of 63, although that was at a different venue.

"I'm delighted to come back and have some great memories from last year," said Clements, who admitted his win last year had been inspired by seeing Brown claim his maiden victory the week before in Northern Ireland.

"It's a new course that I have to scope out but I'm delighted to be back and ready to go again."

Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald will compete in the event for the second year in succession, with American Brandt Snedeker — who was named a vice-captain to Keegan Bradley for the 2025 contest earlier this week — also in the field.