SOUTHEND’S Matt Southgate has been tipped to enjoy success at the US Open.

Southgate will get his first outing at the world-renowned competition underway today.

And Richard McEvoy, who is also on the PGA European Tour, believes his Thorpe Hall Golf Club team-mate will thrive in the state of New York.

McEvoy said: “I strongly believe Matt will have a good week.

“He is a big tournament player and showed he can play well in the major events when he did so well at The Open Championship last year.

“His qualifying record for the biggest events is incredible and if he can take the kind of form he showed at The Open into the this event, he will do really well.

“He is not short of confidence in his game and I will be supporting him from afar.”

Southgate made national headlines as he tied for sixth place in the 146th Open Championship - which was held in Royal Birkdale - 11 months ago.

The 29-year-old’s stunning performance allowed him to finish four under par and collect more than £200,000 in prize winnings.

And McEvoy says he would not be surprised if Southgate were to reproduce the form he enjoyed at the historic competition.

“He has always been impressive in what is supposed to be the more difficult and historic events,” added McEvoy.

“Matt is not out of place against the stars of PGA Tour golf and he will go there knowing that he is capable of producing impressive golf.

“Everyone saw at The Open Championship that he can challenge at the very top of the leaderboard.”

Southgate is scheduled to tee off at 11:45am UK time alongside home favourite Scott Stallings and Sebastian Munoz.

And although McEvoy is full of confidence that Southgate can thrive in the US Open, he feels the American conditions could prove troublesome.

The Shoebury-based professional golfer admitted: “The only thing that might be difficult is getting used to the conditions.

“The courses are much different in the United States compared to in Europe.

“The greens will be very fast and he will have to deal with that.”