OPEN GOLF: Scott and a Scot lead the way
On a leaderboard packed with Major champions it was a man who has looked like he should be one for a decade leading the way after the first day of the Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Adam Scott, whose biggest career win remains the Players Championship back in 2004, shot a 64 in benign early conditions.
It could have been even better as he stood on the 18th tee at -7 and needing a birdie to set a new record for the lowest round in this or any other Major championship.
Unfortunately the Australian missed the fairway and was unable to save his par.
One behind were the 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie and the 2007 Masters winner Zach Johnson, both in top form this year, after matching 65s.
If Lawrie was leading the home charge he was certainly in good company with Graeme McDowell, the winner of the 2010 US Open. He looked confident and in fine form on his way to a three-under par 67 despite, like Scott, a bogey at the last.
Alongside him are the 2002 Open champion Ernie Els and this year’s winner of the Green Jacket, Bubba Watson.
Tiger played sensibly, cautiously and with great precision – just like the old days.
And alongside them is the man everyone still looks for first – Tiger Woods.
He played sensibly, cautiously and with great precision for the most part and at times it looked suspiciously like the old days. He had just one bogey in his 67 that leaves him ideally placed.
It was a less than happy morning for Lee Westwood, especially after the Englishman opened up with successive birdies.
He gave both shots back at the 3rd before re-grouping and looked set for a solid start at -1 through 12. But four bogeys in the next five holes followed and the result was a 73 that leaves him with much to do to make the weekend let alone contend.
Another Englishman in that category is Justin Rose, who never got going and was out in 39, eventually doing well to get round in 74 .
It was a similar story for the defending champion, Darren Clarke, who shot 76, as did Martin Kaymer.
As for the afternoon starters, the lowest score came from Nicolas Colsaerts. The Belgian hot a 67 while Rory McIlroy had an adventurous 67.
Dan Murphy
Dan loves links golf, which doesn't mean he is very good at it. He is a four-handicapper at Alwoodley. A qualified journalist and senior editor with 25 years’ experience, he was the long-time editor of NCG. His passion is golf courses and he is the founding editor of NCG Top 100s course rankings. He loves nothing more than discovering and highlighting courses that are worthy of greater recognition.
