The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
Royal Birkdale was much more kind than it was nine years ago when Paddy Harrington won, in raging wind and rain. The 146th Open began in cool temperatures, a light rain but a strong wind.
Two great bunker shots by leaders Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka one for par, one for eagle led to a -5 65 who along with Matt Kuchar led to the opening round lead of the Open.
Austin Connelly was the top Canadian in his first major, sitting just two strokes back of the leaders with -3 67. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., opened at 1 over 71.
The American Ryder Cup trio have a joint first round lead of one stroke over England’s Paul Casey (66) and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (66). Two strokes further adrift are six others, including a fired up Ian Poulter (67) along with Connelly.
Spieth, the bookies 14-1 favourite had this to say post round. "Everything was strong,” he said. “I give it a nine across the board for everything - tee balls, ball-striking, short game and putting. So things are in check"
Rory is at +5.. and struggling. However there may be a silver lining. After dropping the five shots in the first six holes, his caddie, J P Fitzgerald, read the riot act to him: “You’re Rory McIlroy, what the hell are you doing?”
It had the desired effect. McIlroy finished the day on one over par, and still within reach of the leaders. The four-time major champion did not drop a shot after the sixth, and picked up birdies at the 11th, 15th, 17th and 18
Henrik Stenson, seeking back-to-back victories in the championship, had an opening -1 69 as did former world No.1 Jason Day, all in black with white high topped shoes. Stenson had this to say. “I will definitely take that start. I think I could have been one or two shots better and finished two to three under. That would have been a pretty good reflection of how I played"
On a sad note Tommy Fleetwood who has been in great form this year and is from Southport, finds himself 11 shots behind after a disappointing +6 76.
More wind and rain are in the forecast for round 2 which begins at 1.32 am EST. https://www.bing.com/search?q=10%20day%20weather%20for%20southport%20england&pc=cosp&ptag=C1A9C7EDF55B3&form=CONMHP&conlogo=CT3210127
Bryan Angus
(notes from theopen.com)
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