Muthiya first Zambian to play in U.S. Open

MAMARONECK, New York, June 14 (Reuters) The road to Winged Foot started for Madalitso Muthiya as a nine-year-old when he broke his father's bedroom window with an errant golf shot.

Now the 23-year-old Zambian is preparing to play in the U.S.

Open, the first player from his country to take part in the American national championship.

yesterday Muthiya toured the classic course for a practice round with world number three Vijay Singh of Fiji.

''It was a good experience to play with one of the best players in the game and watch his preparation for a major championship,'' Muthiya told Reuters as he signed autographs after practice.

''He's really a nice guy. Very funny. At times he was teasing me to hit a driver on holes where I shouldn't. But he was very encouraging.'' Muthiya, who attended the University of New Mexico, is currently playing on the Canadian Tour after 10 years as the top-ranked amateur in Zambia.

He claimed a spot in the 156-man field by winning the qualifying at Double Eagle Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio.

The soft-spoken Muthiya said getting into the U.S. Open had caused a stir back home. ''A lot of peple have been congratulating me and acknowledging what I've accomplished.'' The Zambian, who grew up admiring Tom Watson, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, recalled how he first started in the game.

''I was nine years old. It all started, I was stealing clubs from my father's bedroom, my brother and I, and I happened to break a window to my father's bedroom.

''So he happened to find out that we were stealing clubs and hitting golf balls. He got us started playing golf and that's how I got started.'' REUTERS DH RAI0548