But he's going to get the silver medal on Sunday. And we couldn't be happier to see the Londoner playing the weekend, in front of 150 friends and family that aren't staying in luxury accommodations or renting a nearby house. Nope -- they are staying at a modest "holiday park" and singing Karaoke to pass the time.

Related: Five Amateurs Set to Tee it Up at the British Open

Plant, who gained an exemption to the championship by winning the European Amateur, is going to be on stage with the "Champion Golfer of the Year" on Sunday as low amateur no matter what he shoots this weekend. But we're guessing he plays well now that the pressure of surviving is done. And Plant can handle pressure -- he won the European Amateur in sudden death last month after a three hole aggregate playoff at Walton Heath ended in a tie.

Alfie Plant during his post round Golf Channel interview (Golf Channel)

And what a grind today it was. Plant made four bogeys through seven holes, but never bogeyed again afterwards. He eagled No. 15, and that score on the par 5 would make the difference between shooting 6-over (and being outside looking in) and finishing at 4-over as he did, thanks to a solid par on No. 18.

"It's been amazing," Plant told Golf Channel. "You dream about these days, and this is definitely better than the dream."

Plant's brother Albert is carrying his bag this week. That bag carries a message dedicated to his recently deceased great grandmother, who passed away recently at age 96. Plant drew inspiration from her in the European Amateur victory, and no doubt from the massive following he has this week.

Connor Syme posted a disappointing round of 76 to finish at 9-over, while Maverick McNealy (74) and Harry Ellis (75) brought their scores down but still wound up at 12-over and well off the cut line.

Last to finish was Luca Cianchetti. The Italian birdied No. 17, and then pitched beautifully to close range for a par save on the difficult final hole.

THURSDAY'S ROUND ONE REPORT

None of the amateurs at the Open Championship made headlines on Thursday, but two of them are in fairly good shape heading into Friday's second round.

Connor Syme of Scotland birdied his last two holes to head to the scoring table with a smile on his face -- his chances of playing the weekend improved 100% in the span of 40 minutes. Syme was the only amateur (of the five in the field) that went through sectional qualifying as the others earned exemptions via tournament victories.

Alfie Plant (England) also birdied 17, his round was a more steady 1-over 71 that currently places him T63. That will no doubt improve as afternoon scores come in. Harry Ellis (also of England) posted 77, while Maverick McNealy -- the only American amateur in the field and easily the most heralded player -- posted a disappointing 78. Rounding out the amateur contingency, Italy's Luca Chianchetti, who posted 5-over 75.