8:39PM

The day is drawing to a close

Few groups left out there. Dan Brown is in one of them, he’s on the 15th at the moment and he’s still on four-under. To find out how he finished read the report which will land above here soon. 

8:28PM

Shane Lowry talks to Sky Sports

On the round…

“Yeah, it was enjoyable. Played some lovely golf, stayed out of trouble for the most part. Very happy with that.”

On whether he’s playing as well as he did when he won at Portrush… 

“I’ve no idea.”

Can Shane Lowry win his second Claret Jug this week?

Credit: Getty Images/Kevin Cox

8:23PM

The wind has died down

And the conditions are currently as good as they have been all day. Good news for those late starters, one of whom is Dan Brown on four-under. 

8:19PM

Scheffler finishes with a birdie

So the world No.1 walks off the 18th with a one-under 70. He was solid rather than spectacular today but that was the order of the day. He’s lurking with intent only four off the lead.

Spieth also cards a level-par 71. 

8:10PM

Lowry finishes on five-under

As expected he drains the five-foot birdie putt to card a five-under 66. He was brilliant today, there were no bogeys and he’s the man to catch. It’s his first blemish-free round since he lifted the Claret Jug at Portrush – is that an omen? 

Playing partner Fitzpatrick ends on one-under and Cam Smith walks off the 18th with an instantly forgettable nine-over (it would have been worse but for a birdie at the last)

8:05PM

Who predicted Dan Brown would feature today?

Daniel Brown’s last 7 DP World Tour starts:
Cut
Cut
WD
Cut
Cut
Cut
Cut

Currently co-leader at The Open.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) July 18, 2024

8:04PM

Great approach to the last from Lowry

He stiffs his 177-yard approach to five-feet and he’ll have yet another great chance to move to five-under. I reckon he’ll make this one…

8:02PM

Morikawa ends on two-over 73

He never really got going, firing only the one birdie all round. 

7:55PM

Another good birdie chance passes by for Lowry

The Irishman misses the 12-footer at the 17th. That’s three in a row for Shano…he stays at four-under. 

7:54PM

Oh dear, Tiger…

He three-putts the last and ends on a not-pleasing-on-the-eye eight-over 79. He hasn’t looked as though he’s enjoyed it and looks po-faced walking off the green. 

Playing partner Schauffele has had a much better round and ends with a two-under 69. 

7:49PM

Spieth eagles the 16th

And he moves into the red on one-under. His round has been solid and is now moving in the right direction. His approach to the par-five was from all of 305 yard and he stiffs it to 16 feet. He makes no mistake with the putter. 

Playing partner Scheffler also has a good look at eagle but his putt stays at ground level. He’ll also move to one-under. 

7:48PM

Lowry will have another good look at birdie at 17

His tee-shot at the par-three fades in toward the pin leaving him a 12-footer to move to five-under.

7:46PM

Tiger is on the 18th having bogeyed 17

His tee-shot at the tricky par-three goes long and left and he’s unable to get up and down from there. 

His approach to the final green is also left and long, but its on the dancefloor and he should leave with par…

7:42PM

Tiger still has fans – old and young

Mary was one of the many Irish who felt “Shane really made up for what happened to poor Rory”. The Dubliner, who is with her daughter Anna and son-in-law David at Troon, felt torn for abandoning a buoyant Lowry for a floundering Tiger Woods. She said: “Shane is great, he seems very genuine and I would love him to win another Open but when will I get the opportunity at my age to see Tiger again? I’m a pensioner and he might not be going that much longer either!

“I want to say goodbye in person, I am not going to run up and kiss him! I’ll just keep cheering. My daughter wouldn’t have been interested in golf if it wasn’t for Tiger. It is a bit sad because he looks annoyed with himself, he doesn’t look the same at all on the greens.”

This golf fan was also particularly interested in the fashions and Woods’ golfing apparel brand Sun Day Red has a new potential customer. “I understand golf of course but I worked in and around fashion, so I like looking at the golfer’s clothes. I think Tiger is the best dressed today, he just looks so classy, nothing too showy. And not a hoodie!  I didn’t realise he had his own brand – my son-in-law just told me. I love his little tiger logo. I know what I am buying my kids for Christmas!”

7:39PM

Lowry misses another half-decent chance to move to five-under

That’s two good birdie opportunities gone in the past two holes, this second one at the par-five 16th. For once he looks like a mere mortal with the flatstick, his 23-foot attempt not really flirting with the hole. He stays at four-under. 

7:36PM

Dan Brown is penning a thrilling round

The golfer – not the Da Vinci code-breaking, much-maligned author – has joined Lowry on four-under thanks to birdie at the 11th. That’s back-to-back birdies for the Englishman. 

Is he a better writer than than his American namesake? Some might well say this Dan Brown is…

Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Redington

7:24PM

Lowry missed the birdie putt at 15

So stays at four-under, still bogey free…remarkable. 

7:20PM

Great up and down from Tiger

At the 16th. He found the greenside bunker on the left and an old bit of magic reappeared as his chip from the sand left him a one-foot putt. That’s three pars in a row for the Big Beast – a triumph of sorts compared with much of the rest of the round – and he stays at six-over. 

7:15PM

Great approach from Lowry at the 15th

The leader has 137 yards to the pin and as soon as he hits the shot he begins to walk after it, always a good sign and something us happy hackers rarely, if ever, do…He’ll have a makeable 12-footer for another birdie to move to five-under. 

7:13PM

Dan Brown (no, not he of the clumsy/thrilling (delete as you deem fit…) writing style)

Is someone you probably haven’t heard of (once again, I am not talking about the much-maligned author…), but you have now as he’s three-under through 10. The Englishman is blemish free and looking good out there. He’s one off the lead…

7:09PM

Scottie not liking the pace of the greens

The world No.1’s birdie putt at 13 is short, and never looks like flirting with the hole. He stays at level-par. It’s fair to say struggles on links greens. The longest putt he’s made today is 3ft 9in.

7:06PM

A good three for Lowry

It’s come at the par-three 14th. His tee-shot was long but a decent up and down saved par and he stays bogey-free and at four-under.  

6:51PM

Morikawa is back to two-over

Thanks to his first birdie of the day. It’s come at the 14th. Can that prove to be the kickstart the 2020 Open champion needs? 

6:42PM

Scheffler drops back to level-par

Having birdied the the Railway Hole 11th, he gives back that shot after his approach at the par-four 12th finds the rough, short and right of the green. His chip leaves him a 30-footer for par and not even the world No 1 can make that putt drop.

It’s a similar story for Schauffele two holes ahead on 14. He bogeys the par-three due to his tee-shot going through the back of the green and then being unable to get up and down from there. He’s back to two-under. 

6:35PM

No shock to learn that…

…Lowry is No.1 on strokes gained putting. 

Shane Lowry has made five par putts of at least 6 feet in his round so far.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) July 18, 2024

6:35PM

Great par-save from Lowry

His putter was ‘hot’ a few posts ago, now, having drained an 11-footer at the 12th to stay blemish-free on four-under, I am going to call it ‘Planck’* 

*Planck temperature, named after the German physicist Max Planck, is equal to about 100 million million million million million degrees, or 1032 Kelvin, as if you didn’t know…

6:30PM

How Lowry took the sole lead

6:27PM

BREAKING NEWS!

For the first time since the third Tiger Woods has a birdie, and boy does he need it. It’s come at the 13th after six bogeys (two of them doubles) and moves him back to six-over. 

6:19PM

Bad from Tiger

Can understand how frustrated Tiger Woods feels and that his battered body maybe hurting, but there is no excuse for not shouting “fore!” when your ball is heading towards a clump of fans. Woods put out his hand to show his approach on the 12th was heading left, but there was no verbal warning. 

6:17PM

We have a new sole leader

And I hope/expect most of you will be more than happy to learn that it’s Shane Lowry. The likeable, cuddly Irishman has just birdied the par-four 11th to move to four-under. Pow! 

His approach from 159 yards left him with a 20-foot putt for birdie and he made no mistake with the flatstick. His putter has been the dictionary definition of HOT today. Sizzling…

Catch me if you can! Shane Lowry is out on his own at Royal Troon

Credit: PA/Zac Goodwin

6:13PM

Tiger now at seven-over

The chip on left him with a 26-footer and he’s rapidly going in the wrong direction. 

Meanwhile, playing partner Schauffele’s long putt flirts with the hole but stays above ground. He remains at three-under as a result. 

6:09PM

Tiger’s approach at the 12th finds the deep rough

It’s on a slope and won’t be easy to get the clubface right behind the ball. However, the Big Beast does well to find the green with his chip, but another longish putt to save par coming up. Once again it looks as though he’s having about as much fun as someone told they’ve got to speed read War and Peace while white-water rafting in crocodile-infested waters…

6:02PM

If you’ve been reading this blog for a wee while…

…you’ll have noticed that they all seem to be finding the par-three eighth Postage Stamp a but touch. 

Grillo has just become the 18th player to rack up a double bogey or worse at the tiny 118-yarder. 

6:00PM

Golf is hard enough without…

…a train roaring past on your backswing. 

5:57PM

We now have a three-way tie for the lead

Xander Schauffele has birdied the 11th to move to three-under and join Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry at the top of the leaderboard. 

Playing partner Tiger Woods blocks his bogey putt and moves to six-over, it cannot be fun for him out there. He doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it at all…

Xander Schauffele is blemish-free through 11 holes and is now joint leader

Credit: AP/Peter Morrison

5:47PM

Tiger found his ball at the 11th

And was forced to take a drop. His third is then well short of the green. Another trial to avoid falling even further back coming up. 

5:46PM

Lowry’s putter is hot

And thanks to draining a 23-footer at the 10th he stays at three-under. His approach from 125 yards found the right rough and he did very well to walk off the green with a par. 

5:40PM

More pain for Tiger

His drive at the 11th flirts with the railway track and it looks as though it’s, at best, in the foliage right by the wall next to the track. That looked like a proper slice – ouch. He takes a provisional and he’ll find it tough to stay at four-over. 

5:38PM

Scheffler saves par at the ninth

He’s out in level-par. You don’t need to do anything spectacular with the moderate scoring. 

5:37PM

Scheffler’s approach at the ninth goes long

With his chip he has to keep it above the pin as everything slopes away from there. He shows a delicate touch with his third but is left with a four-footer to save par and stay at level-par. 

Meanwhile, Koepka birdies the tricky 11th and he’s back at two-under. 

5:29PM

Good par-save from Lowry

It’s come at the ninth with a testing seven-footer. He’s out in three-under. 

The scoring average on the front nine is one-over and on the back nine it’s a bit over two-over, so you need to do your scoring going out. 

5:22PM

A good three for Scheffler at the Postage Stamp

His tee-shot found the deep bunker on the left but he was able to get up and down to stay at level-par. 

5:14PM

Shane Lowry joins JT at the top of the leaderboard

Back-to-back birdies at seven and eight. He had no problem at the Postage Stamp, his tee-shot leaving him with a nine-footer that never looked like going anywhere but underground. He’s at three-under looking down on everyone on the leaderboard. Paul McGinley on Sky commentary points out that the 2019 Open champion putts well on slow greens and that’s what he’s facing at Troon. 

5:10PM

Birdie for Lowry at the seventh

The affable Irishman is now at two-under and well in contention. His 341-yard drive left him a flick with a wedge from 45 yards that he fired to within 10 feet and from there he made no mistake with the flatstick. 

Shane Lowry is looking good at Troon

Credit: PA/Zac Goodwin

5:04PM

Disaster for Morikawa at the Postage Stamp

His tee-shot avoided the infamous Coffin Bunker but only just, the ball ending up just short of it in the short rough. But having got lucky his chip is under hit and the ball rolls into the trap he had just avoided. His first attempt to get out ends back at his feet and he does well to get up and down from there to walk off with just a five. He moves to three-over. 

4:58PM

Haven’t seen much of Scheffler and his group

Standing on the seventh tee he’s level-par, a solid start. That’s the same score as playing partner Jordan Spieth, who hooks his tee-shot (with an iron) into the left rough, criminal, but all too easy today. 

Meanwhile, Koepka bogeys the ninth to go out in one-under. 

4:56PM

To state the obvious, Rory has it all to do

Re: Rory McIlroy – since 2000, only 5.6% of players who shoot 78 or higher in round 1 of The Open have come back to make the cut.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) July 18, 2024

4:55PM

No problem for Cantlay at the Postage Stamp

He moves to level-par as a result of this chip in…

4:52PM

Another bogey for Tiger

It’s come at the Postage Stamp and it’s all down to a hideous tee-shot that finds the rough beyond the green. In his prime he’d never make a mistake like that. The resulting chip, which was a fine flop shot that flirted with the infamous Coffin Bunker, left him with a 14-foot putt which he was unable to drain. He’s now at four-over. After a good start this round is getting away from Tiger…

Things aren’t going Tiger Woods’ way at the moment

Credit: Getty Images/Kevin C Cox

4:47PM

Rory McIlroy speaks to Sky Sports – ‘I feel like I have half a chance’

On how he played…

“It felt OK. I’d come in here playing really well. It was more the conditions got the better of me, Those cross-winds …”

On the back nine…

“Once we turned those left-to-right winds I was struggling to hold the ball. It was definitely tricky, it was difficult. You try to come up with a strategy but when the wind is like that, other options present themselves and you start to second-guess yourself.”

On the plan for tomorrow…

“I’ll just come out and try to be better, to be here for the weekend. I’ll have to do a better job in those conditions , to try to shoot something under par and aim to at least be here for the weekend, if not try to put myself up the leaderboard a bit more and feel like I have half a chance.”

4:43PM

Tiger back to three-over

That’s after a bogey at the par-four seventh. His approach from 136 yards left him shortsided, his chip left him a seven-footer for par and he was unable to sink that. 

Postage Stamp coming up for the Big Beast…

4:38PM

As if to emphasise how in tune his game is at the moment…

…Koepka plays the perfect bunker shot at the Postage Stamp to within a foot of the pin. Many have come a cropper today on a hole where he will, barring a disaster of a missed putt, walk off with a par. 

4:36PM

Koepka is on the charge

The American has birdied four in a row to move to two-under. He’s won the USPGA and the US Open but having cut his teeth on the European Tour (playing in some far-flung places on the Challenge Tour) you suspect he wouldn’t mind drinking something out of the Claret Jug. 

Brooks Koepka is looking good at Troon at the moment

Credit: AP/Peter Morrison

4:32PM

Birdie chances go begging for Tiger at six and seven

The later chance from seven foot leaves him grimacing, he stays at two-over.  

4:24PM

‘This Open Championship lark is soooooo easy’

Is what Spanish amateur Jaime Montojo may well be thinking after he holes his approach at the first from 132 yards. The 19-year-old is two-under through one, easy peasy…

4:21PM

Darren Clarke was six-over through seven

But that horror of a start was forgotten momentarily when he nearly aced the Postage Stamp. 

Sit back and enjoy this tee-shot and the delicious spin on the ball. 

4:12PM

Those 16 men under par

Three-under: Thomas (68)
Two-under: Noren (69), N Hojgaard (69), Rose 69F), Henley (69), Straka (10)
One-under: A Scott (70), Wallace (70), Kirk (70), Jordan (7), Koepka (6), Schauffele (5), Lowry (4), Spieth (3), Grillo (2), Hughes (2)

4:10PM

Lowry to make a move as conditions improve?

This could be perfect for Shane Lowry, the 2019 Open champion. There is a chance that the wind will drop as the day grows older and with the Irishman a brilliant links practitioner, he could easily make his presence felt. One-under through four holes.

Shane Lowry is playing alongside another form Open champion, Cam Smith

Credit: AFP/Paul Ellis

4:08PM

Conditions are improving slightly

Which might explain why as many as 16 golfers are under-par now. It was just 12 an hour or so ago. 

4:07PM

Scheffler is back to level-par

Having bogeyed the first he gets the shot back at the third. His 125-yard approach left him with a six-footer for birdie and he drained the putt. Playing partner Jordan Spieth also left the green with a birdie to move to one-under. 

Meanwhile, Koepka registers his third birdie in a row after sinking a 27-foot putt at the par-five sixth. He’s now at one-under. 

Scottie Scheffler is back to level-par

Credit: AP/Jon Super

4:00PM

Brooks Koepka is at level par

That’s thanks to back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth. The birdie at the par-three fifth was so very nearly an eagle, on a par-three AKA a hole-in-one…

3:58PM

Double for Tiger at the par-three fifth

Once again the bunkers claim another victim. His tee-shot found the left-greenside bunker, from there he was forced to chip out backwards to the left rough from where he was unable to get up and down. He’s back to two-over. 

3:55PM

Rory not as down you might expect

McIlroy wasn’t as down as I thought he might be in the mixed zone. He said he felt he played okay on the front nine – Postage Stamp aside – and thought he could get those shots back coming home. But that double on 11 killed him. At 10 shots off the lead, did he feel he was still in it? “Ummm,” McIlroy replied at length. “I just need to focus on tomorrow and making the cut.”

3:52PM

Leukaemia survivor Michael Hendry makes Open comeback at Troon

Leukaemia survivor Michael Hendry delivered the feel-good story of The Open after putting himself in position to make the weekend.

The 44-year-old New Zealander battled back from a grizzly start to sign for a respectable three-over-par 74 a year on from having to withdraw from the championship after his diagnosis.

Hendry, who was playing in front of his wife Tara and two children Maddison and Harper, admitted afterwards it had been an emotional experience.

“It was incredible,” said Hendry. “Words can’t really describe how grateful I am, not only to the R&A, but to all of the doctors and nurses who have helped me over the last 12 months.

“It was extremely special. This is one thing that really got me through my recovery. To finally be here and teeing it up was extremely special.”

Hendry, who plays on the Japan Tour, qualified for Hoylake via a runner-up finish at the World City Championship in Hong Kong last April but soon after his world fell apart with the diagnosis.

He spent six weeks in hospital undergoing chemotherapy during which time he lost two-and-a-half stone.

“It just knocked me for six and life changed,” he said. “But at no point did I think I wouldn’t play golf again. I’d made my mind up that, even if I was sick, I was going to try and play.

Now in remission, Hendry hopes The Open can turn the page on the trauma.

“I feel like this week hopefully will draw a line through that part of my life and I can move on,” he said.

Michael Hendry has a decent chance of staying for the weekend

Credit: AP/Scott Heppell

3:48PM

A possible birdie becomes a bogey for Tiger

This is Exhibit A in the ‘golf can be (insert rude word of your choosing here) frustrating’. 

His approach to the par-five left him with a chance of birdie, but the attempt went seven-foot by. He missed that par putt and he falls back to level-par as result. 

3:44PM

Cam Smith has a nightmare start

The 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year is four-over through two thanks to a bogey at the first and a triple at the second. That seven came about due to a hideous tee shot that finds an unplayable. Ouch. 

3:42PM

How Rory’s round unraveled

3:40PM

Running running running…

Bob MacIntyre hit his drive 389 yards on the 18th on his way to a 72. Jon Rahm was playing with the Scot and was stunned by the run on the green fairways. “Bob and I talked about it because it had rained plenty leading up to the event and we were  surprised how firm it’s  playing,” Rahm said after his 72. “It doesn’t look that bouncy, but it is. Right, it is.”

3:34PM

Scheffler bogeys the first

His tee shot found the right rough, his approach ended up in the right greenside bunker and he wasn’t able to get up and down. 

His playing partners Cam Young and Jorden Spieth both walked off with pars. 

3:30PM

Rory cards a seven-over 78

He missed the seven-footer at the last and he’s got it all to do to if he’s going to stay here at the weekend. Regarding lifting the Claret Jug, I think he can forget that now. 

He didn’t play that badly, but it was one of those days you can have on links courses, every errant shot was really punished and his putting wasn’t great. 

To state the bleedin’ obvious: that wasn’t the round he wanted following his US Open heartache. 

Rory McIlroy has it all do do at Troon now

Credit: Shutterstock /Robert Perry

3:26PM

Birdie for Tiger at the third

After the fine drive he was left with 149 to the pin. His approach went over the flagstick and he then drained the 12-yard breaking putt to move into the red at one-under. 

There are only 14 golfers under par at the moment, and eight of those are at one-under. 

Tiger Woods got his round off to a good start

Credit: Reuters/Jason Cairduff

3:23PM

This isn’t the first time I’ve written this today…

‘Yet more woe for Rory’…

He’s found a bunker with his tee shot at the 18th – a shot that is all about bunker avoidance. It’s an awful lie and he’s forced to chip out sideways. His third shot is 123 yards from the pin and he fires his approach to seven feet. He needs to make that to stay at six-over to even have the slimmest, vaguest, need-the-world’s-best-microscope-to-see-it chance of staying in this championship come the weekend. 

3:19PM

The current Champion Golfer of the Year

Brian Harman cards a two-over 73. That’s a score I suspect many will be fine with today. The Ricky Ponting looky-likely had three birdies and five bogeys. 

3:13PM

Scottie Scheffler finds the right rough

After his poor showing at Pinehurst he’ll doubtless be looking for a good week (anything other than a win for him is considered a bad one…) at Troon. 

3:10PM

Another great drive from Tiger

This one has come at the par-four third. The drive splits the fairway and his swing is looking good at the moment, easy and free. He’s level through the first two holes. 

3:09PM

Great par save from Rory

At 17 – having found the bunker he left himself a tough up and down but his sand play was exceptional leaving him a close-to-tap-in putt for a three. He stays at six-over. 

3:06PM

Rory’s course management in question

McIlroy’s course management will be questioned yet again after this first round. Chasing the pin on the Postage Stamp – where he took his first double-bogey – was certainly not the wise tactic. Strange the way he played the par-five 16th as well. Making it more difficult for himself.

3:05PM

Another error from Rory

The left-right wind has played havoc with his game on this back nine. His tee shot at the par-three 17th finds the greenside bunker (yep, you’ve guessed it, another deep and devilish one…) he’s shortsided himself and that will be yet another tough up and down* to save par.

*Not sure there are many ‘easy’ up and downs at Troon today

2:58PM

Rory’s approach at 16…

…found the deep rough to the right of the green (don’t worry, it’s a par-five and it was his second shot) his chip from the foliage just finds the green and he two putts to stay at six-over. 

2:55PM

Tiger walks off the first with a par

As do his playing partners Schauffele and Cantlay. All two-putting. Solid starts from that American trio. 

Tiger’s tee shot at the first

Credit: AFP/Paul Ellis

2:51PM

Bobby MacIntyre birdies the last

And last week’s Scottish Open winner (the one non-major he really wanted to claim) ends on one-over, a score many, including him I suspect, will be more than happy with. 

Playing partners Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood didn’t enjoy their round as much. The Spaniard carding a two-over 73 and the long-haired Englishman (when is he going to do a Head and Shoulders advert?) finishing on five-over. 

2:45PM

Tiger on the dancefloor at one

Tiger has 166 yard to the pin at the first and his approach finds the green, leaving him a longish putt for par. 

As Andrew Coltart, on Sky commentary, says “what would he do for the temperature to be a few degrees warmer.”

2:41PM

Tiger takes a fairway metal

Rather than trying to muscle a long-iron and it’s a good choice as the Big Beast finds splits the fairway. 

Playing partner Xander Schauffle finds the first cut on the right. Completing the threeball is Patrick Cantlay and the American, known for slow play, dividing opinion and not wearing baseball caps (when he doesn’t have to….) also finds the short grass. 

2:38PM

The old man is snoring

That’s my way of saying it’s raining again…conditions look pretty dire on the west coast of Scotland right now. Tiger Woods is about to get his opening round under way, wonder how the conditions will affect him and his creaking body? 

2:33PM

You are only as good as your last hole

Well, that’s actually a load of nonsense but it’s certainly what DeChambeau will be thinking (if only for sanity’s sake…) as he drains a 54-foot putt for eagle at the par-five 16th. That gets him back to five-over having had a ‘mare of a front nine (out in a six-over 42). 

A rare moment where DeChambeau can smile

Credit: AFP/Andy Buchanan

2:29PM

Brooks Koepka’s first round is under way

And the five-time major winner takes an iron and finds the left rough. 

2:23PM

Rory drops to six-over

His chip from the pot bunker was impressive, the ball finding the green. But it left him with a breaking, downhill putt and his attempt to save par never really flirted with the hole. He could well have already played himself out of contention here…

Not the first round he would have wanted

Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Redington

2:19PM

I always try and be a positive ray of light

But, alas, I am about to bring yet more bad Rory news (I am truly sorry…). His drive at the 15th found the left rough and his second found one of the many devilish pot bunkers that litter Troon. This one is a good 30 yards short of the green. 

2:15PM

Rickie rocked….

The American is four-over through three holes having registered back-to-back double bogeys at the second and third.

2:13PM

Upcoming tee-times to get excited about

2.26pm Wyndham Clark (USA), Brooks Koepka (USA), Hideki Matsuyama (Jap) 
2.37pm Patrick Cantlay (USA), Xander Schauffele (USA), Tiger Woods (USA) 
2.48pm Sam Burns (USA), Si-Woo Kim (Kor), Collin Morikawa (USA) 
2.59pm Matthew Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Cameron Smith (Aus) 
3.10pm Scottie Scheffler (USA), Jordan Spieth (USA), Cameron Young (USA)

2:09PM

Great par save for Rory at 14

That’s three pars in a row which after the four-hole stretch in five-over may well feel like Christmas for the world No.2. At the par-three 14th his tee shot found the light rough on the right, but he made a tricky up-and-down (nine-foot par putt) and perhaps that can be a bit of a confidence booster for him? He stays at five-over. 

2:03PM

As with many out there…

…it hasn’t really got going for Tommy Fleetwood today. A three-putt bogey means he walks off the 15th at four-over. 

1:59PM

The Postage Stamp claims yet another victim

It’s Sam Hutsby who after seven was joint-leader at three-under. But the shortest hole proved a bit of a card-wreaker (for the umpteenth time). He found one of the many deep and infamous bunkers, it took two shots to get out and walked off with a five to fall back to one-under. 

Meanwhile, it’s back-to-back pars for Rory, he’s still at five-over, through 13. 

1:53PM

Can you tell what they’re thinking?

Body language will tell you a lot about a golfer’s mindset. The way tied-leader Justin Thomas ambled up the 18th while filling in his scorecard he did genuinely look like the man who told the media a few minutes later that links is his favourite type of golf. The 31-year-old seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself.

As a contrast, Bryson DeChambeau looked rather tense in the shoulders through his troubled opening nine even before he got into trouble. Although he was interacting with the galleries, he looked far from having fun.

If we are to continue to apply the principle of closely watching player demeanour, Rickie Fowler looked very relaxed as he strolled to the first tee. If I am proved wrong so be it, but he looked at the first like a man in a good place to take on the challenge of the cross winds on this first day at Troon. This way of monitoring players is one of the joys of watching live golf up close. 

1:50PM

If you’re not enjoying the golf you can dabble in a bit of plane-spotting

Incredible how low the aeroplanes coming in to land at nearby Prestwick pass overhead. Thought that one was going to land on the 13th fairway.

Make sure your drive doesn’t hit the plane…

Credit: PA/Jane Barlow

1:41PM

DeChambeau’s back nine…

…is going considerably better than his front nine. There are no fireworks, but after going out in 42 he really won’t mind…He’s opened up the inward nine with four straight pars to stay at six-over. 

Meanwhile, Rory walks off the 12th with a very welcome (as in give it a massive bear hug) par to stay at five-over. 

1:39PM

Sam Hutsby joins JT at the top of the leaderboard

He’s had a delightful start to his opening round. While others are struggling (still only 12 golfers under par) he’s three-under through seven ‘who said it was tough?’. 

1:37PM

Jon Rahm is hanging in there

Standing on the 15th tee he’s at one-over having bogeyed the 13th. He’s registered just the one birdie today and I reckon he’ll be more than happy to get into the clubhouse at level par. 

Jon Rahm is hanging in there at the moment

Credit: Getty Images /Stuart Franklin

1:35PM

Weather report

I’m no meteorologist but I feel fairly confident when I say ‘it’s not great’…rain is falling and the wind is still more than making hits presence felt. The sort of conditions where you cannot wait to get to the 19th hole.  

1:31PM

Did anyone find the ball?

Quite a few fans clambered onto the railway line to the right of 11 to try to find Rory’s lost ball after they passed. He needs to be careful his whole round doesn’t go off the rails here. I just had to correct the guy carrying his group’s scores as he had him at four over after that double. Alas, no. 

A penny for his thoughts…

Credit: Getty Images/Stuart Franklin

1:24PM

Rory now has a tough seven-hole stretch ahead of him

That’s because he’s double-bogeyed the 11th. His drive went out of bounds (over the train tracks) and it was downhill from there. His fourth went over the back of the green and he walked off with a six, to fall to five-over. 

Two doubles in the past four holes – ouch!

Oh dear…Rory McIlroy is five-over through 11

Credit: Getty Images/Pedro Salado

1:19PM

Justin Rose is ‘disappointed’

Speaking to Sky Sports the former US Open champion felt he could have gone lower that his two-under 69…

“A bit disappointed … I could have done with a slightly warmer putter … a couple of breaks that could have gone the other way … so all in all, pretty happy.”

Quite a few struggling out there at the moment would kill for that score right now. 

1:16PM

Matt Wallace was four-under through eight

But he couldn’t maintain the fine form and ends on at definitely-not-to-be-sniffed-at one-under. 

1:14PM

Ludvig Aberg is at three-over

He’s bogeyed the 12th and many people’s tip to lift the Claret Jug has a bit of work to do. 

Think it’s fair to say that the world’s best are finding it tough out there. 

1:12PM

JT likes Troon

Most birdies/better in an Open round for Justin Thomas:

2016 Round 1 at Royal Troon, 7
2024 Round 1 at Royal Troon, 7

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) July 18, 2024

1:11PM

How the Postage Stamp got the better of Rory

1:09PM

It goes from bad to worse for Rory

His drive at the 11th is out of bounds. The wind is left to right and it a tough tee shot for a right-hander do you fight the wind or ping the drive far left and use it…the train tracks on the right of the fairway serves as an industrial reminder to execute the shot well…alas for Rory he didn’t, it looks as though the ball ended to the right of the line to Glasgow. 

1:03PM

Rory now at three-over

He misses the eight-footer and that isn’t the start to the ‘easier’ back nine he would have wanted. Big (ish) eight holes coming up for the Northern Irishman. 

1:01PM

Rory left with a nervy eight-footer for par at 10

His 104-yard approach was pulled slightly leaving him with a tricky up and down from 18 yards. He went with the putter and was cautious…

12:59PM

Some people are hard to please…

“I’m a bit disappointed with the troosers to be honest,” says one fan as John Daly hacks his way along the 15th.

She has high standards obviously. 

Check out these bad boys…impressive set of slacks, I reckon…

Credit: Getty Images/Ross Kinnaird

12:56PM

Impressive round for Rose

The most impressive aspect of Justin Rose’s opening 69 was the complete absence of bogeys. That is some going at Royal Troon, especially when the field is flummoxed by a switched wind. The former world No 1 will be a little frustrated, as he did not hole any putts of great note (missed two birdie putts inside eight feet). But still very promising for the 43-year-old who proved he can still compete at the elite level with sixth place at the US PGA two months ago.

Justin Rose shot a blemish-free two-under 69

Credit: PA/Owen Humphreys

12:52PM

New outright leader

And it’s JT (Justin Thomas as if you didn’t know…). His tee shot at the last found the fairway, and his approach from 176 yards found the dancefloor and he drained the 25-footer to finish birdie-birdie and move to three-under. 

Justin Thomas shot a three-under 68 to lead the Open

Credit: Shutterstock /Robert Perry

12:49PM

Rory does well to save par at nine

He stays at two-over after a good up and down from off the green on the right. 

Passed a dead crab upside-down in the rough a couple of holes before McIlroy doubled the Postage Stamp. Not sure if it was a bad omen. McIlroy will hope to claw those dropped shots back coming in, anyway. Good save at nine.

12:47PM

‘It’s playing tough’

Says the 1997 Open champion, Justin Leonard. He’s nine-over and while that may well lead anyone to say ‘it’s not easy’ the leaderboard backs up his bleak summary, there are only 12 golfers under par at the moment. 

12:45PM

The 2016 champion at Troon has his first round under way

The memorable win eight years ago was one for the ages and possibly the best final round in a major you’ll ever see as he held off the considerable challenge of Phil Mickelson. 

His tee-shot finds the first cut on the left. 

A final round to remember – Mickelson and Stenson at Troon in 2016

Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Redington

12:40PM

JT birdied the 17th to be part of that eight-man lead

And he’s bounced back well from the double and single bogeys at 12 and 13 respectively. 

His tee shot at the last finds the fairway which is A1, the main aim on the tee box being bunker avoidance.

12:38PM

Eight at two-under par

And they’re the lucky leaders six hours into play. 

Alex Noren -2 (69)Nicolai Hojgaard -2 (69)Rose -2 (17)Justin Thomas -2 (17)Chris Kirk -2 (13)Maverick McNealy -2 (7)MK Kim -2 (4)Sam Hutsby -2 (4)

12:32PM

So Rory is now at…

…two-over. Not disastrous by any stretch of the imagination, but not the start he’d have wanted. 

Rory McIlroy is two-over through eight

Credit: Getty Images/Pedro Salado

12:29PM

Postage Stamp claims another victim (it’s Rory…)

Bunker bother for Rory McIlroy at the Postage Stamp as he double bogeys the 123-yard par three.

The Northern Irishman’s tee shot landed on the green but after a moment’s indecision opted to slide off into the popular right-hand bunker.

The chip out made it out, only to reverse back into the trap.

McIlroy escaped with his third but, not wanting a repeat, went eight feet past the hole and he missed the putt back. 

A wry smile and a shake of the head as he walks off the green hands buried in his pockets.

He lobs the offending ball to a young fan. At least that’s someone day made.

12:06PM

Live from the Postage Stamp

Bryson DeChambeau unhappy with his ball for refusing to turn right and drop in for par at the Postage Stamp. 

Another shot dropped for the US Open champion after he fails to get up and down from  the rough after pushing his tee shot. 

Length no advantage on the shortest hole on the Open rota.

12:04PM

An entertaining opening round at Royal Troon

Scott and Henley bogey to drop out of leading pack, and then there were five. It has been a pretty enjoyable morning at Royal Troon, what with all the chip ins, double and triples. And there’s so much for the play. 

11:53AM

Seven players tied at the top

The top of the leaderboard is getting a little cramped now, with seven players up there. Recent additions include Hojgaard, Chris Kirk and Kim Min-kyu. Thomas has now fallen back to -1 after going double-bogey, bogey, par in his last three holes.

11:40AM

It just get worse for DeChambeau…

Golf makes fools of us all – and for some of us even when we are not playing. I tipped DeChambeau to win the Claret Jug, in the belief that his form in the 2024 majors – including, of course, last month’s US Open triumph – has shown a new-found maturity for the biggest tests. But there he is, five-over after six holes. Ok, the early holes are much tougher into the wind, but nobody foresaw this.

11:34AM

Adam Scott makes it a five-way tie at the summit

The Aussie has been playing some very confident golf of late. He has just birdied 15 to put himself into the mix at the top of the leaderboard. This is Adam Scott’s 93rd consecutive major. Incredible.

Adam Scott of Australia watches his tee shot on the 14th tee during his opening round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Credit: Scott Heppell/AP Photo

11:30AM

Criticism for the Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas may be leading (with four others) but he has his critics. It all began just after the two-time US PGA Champion teed off at 7.52 am when grumbles came from veteran Open attendees. “What on earth is he wearing?” said Christine Muir from Edinburgh, her husband Robert expounded “why have they let Thomas play in jeans and a hoodie? I thought his father was a golf pro!” 

This sentiment was shared by quite a few spectators on the opening nine. Fret not, golf traditionalists, they are navy blue golf trousers paired with what looks like a cashmere hooded sweater. It looks like golf’s hoodie debate may be back on at Troon! However, as the 31-year-old manages the ever changing elements well, his playing will hopefully do the talking and his galleries are growing ever deeper.

11:26AM

Luke Donald believes players can pick up shots on back nine

Luke Donald, the Europe Ryder Cup captain, just made a very good point on the Sky broadcast. All week, the players practised with the opposite wind direction to this and now it is an entirely different course. The back nine is much easier than it was in practice, but the field prepared with it being a stretch of attrition. “It’s about being adaptable,” Donald said. “And adapting on the go.” The players need to be brave coming in, because they can pick up shots.

11:24AM

Double Bogey for Thomas on 12

Two shots dropped for Thomas after a disastrous 12th hole, and he’s back into a four way tie for the lead with Justin Rose, Russell Henley and Alex Noren who has just finished his round. A solid 69 on his opening round for the Swede.

Justin Thomas chips onto the 14th green

Credit: Scott Heppell/AP Photo

11:21AM

Bryson watch: Not a great start golf wise but winning another battle

One of golf’s most pressing questions is “how do you get teenagers interested in golf?” There are always decent cohorts of teen boys at The Open but this year saw an upturn of girls from Scotland, England, Ireland, the US and as far as Japan and South Korea and they all seemed to be waiting on one man. Bryson DeChambeau. He might not have had the best of starts three over after four holes. 

The Californian’s gallery for the opening few holes was at times up to over 12 deep with umbrellas but the most ardent supporters barring a stag do resplendent in yellow flat caps were teenage girls and young women. DeChambeau is one of those who is keenly aware of attracting a younger demographic with his YouTube channel. These girls, including a group kitted out with Harry Potter backpacks, were documenting their experiences on social media while shouting “Oh, Bryson! Play well!”

They had the longing in their calls that this correspondent has only ever heard on a golf course for singer and former One Direction member Niall Horan, an avid golf fan who has his own golf agency Modest! Golf and has partnered with the R&A to promote the game. The cheers for DeChambeau may not be as loud as those for Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood or Tyrrell Hatton but he has seemed to engage a key demographic in golf’s quest to get down with the kids.

11:15AM

Rory choosing accuracy over distance

Four holes in a row now Tyrrell Hatton’s tee shot has gone further than McIlroy’s, albeit by a matter of inches this time. Playing into the wind the Northern Irishman is obviously prioritising accuracy. These are the wind conditions I played in back in April, into the breeze going out. A change from their three practice rounds.

11:13AM

Live from the Postage Stamp

The punter who asked John Daly to sign his flag as he walked towards the ninth green needs to work on his timing.

Daly, looking increasingly like Father Christmas these days, had just missed a three-footer for birdie at the eighth.

He duly blanked the spectator.

11:11AM

Disappointing start for DeChambeau

It hasn’t been the start that US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau would have wanted at the 152nd Open Championship. The big hitter has had three lip outs in his first four holes and sits at +3.

Bryson DeChambeau hasn’t started well at Royal Troon

Credit: Jon Super/Getty Images

10:55AM

Birdie for McIlroy on the 3rd

That’s more like it from McIlroy. He puts his approach to a few feet and makes the putt for birdie, making up for that sloppy bogey on the first. His drive on the par 5 4th finds its way into the long grass on the left. Hatton, who also birdied the last, ends up in a similar position to Rory.

10:47AM

Live from the Postage Stamp

Double bogey at the Postage Stamp for American Austin Eckroat.

The World No 56 found the back of the right-hand greenside bunker with his tee shot and left his escape attempt in the trap.

His next attempt made it onto the putting surface but he was left slapping his thigh in frustration after the ball gently reversed back into the sand.

An up and down made five – marginally better than Daniel Hillier who left two in the same bunker on his way to a six earlier on.

10:46AM

Thomas two to the good

After a nice approach to 10, Justin Thomas drops another to extend his lead to two. Been a really solid round of play so far from the two-time major champion. Is he finding his from at just the right time?

10:41AM

Wallace hands back a few

After such a bright start, Matt Wallace pays the price for a wild second on the 9th and just like that he’s back to -1. Triple Bogey.

10:29AM

Tyrrell being Tyrrell

No surprise that the first obligatory apology of this Open week from the Sky commentators for bad language comes after a Tyrrell Hatton curse because of a so-so approach shot. But then, Hatton has been on the course for eight minutes…

10:27AM

McIlroy bogeys first from middle of the fairway

Poor start for Rory considering he was in prime position from the fairway on 1. Many many holes to go though. He goes with mid iron off the tee on 2 into the wind. Lands it in the fairway.

10:24AM

Wallace moves into lead at -4

Another one drops at the Postage Stamp, this time for Matt Wallace who is now in a solo lead at -4 after Song shoots a triple bogey on 11. That lead might not last very long though for Wallace, as his approach to the 9th is erratic, unforced and far right into the bush.

10:19AM

A warm welcome on a wet day for Rory

I’m nestled in the long grass down to the left of the first tee, heavy raindrops falling. The crowd behind the tee like Rory’s opening shot. Very specific words of encouragement. “Yes. All week, Rory”. So it begins.

McIlroy plays his first shot of The Open

Credit: Paul Ellis/Getty Images

10:11AM

Thomas back into tie for lead

Postage Stamp clearly not playing at its hardest today, with a handful of birdies to speak of at the 8th so far. Justin Thomas has just added to the birdie tally to put himself back into the lead at -3 alongside Song and Wallace.

10:07AM

“Rose deserved automatic qualification” says Colin Montgomerie

Justin Rose is playing beautifully so far and, even though he is nicely placed, he should be even better than two-under through eight holes. He was forced to go through final qualifying and talking to Colin Montgomerie the other day, he feels that Rose deserved an automatic berth. 

“I can’t believe he didn’t get an exemption as a player from the last Ryder Cup,” he said. “That surely should be looked at.” 

The USPGA Championship, the second major of the year, does invite golfers who competed in the most recent Ryder Cup, providing they are in the world’s top 100. Rose is currently world No 67.

10:05AM

Aberg off to a flyer

The Swede sinks one from the edge of the green, cool as you like, for the ideal start. DeChambeau missed his par putt. His tee shot put him behind the eight ball though.

9:53AM

MacIntyre surely one of the favourites

Coming off an emotional victory at The Renaissance Club last week, Robert MacIntyre is in the form of his life and as well equipped as anyone to beat the field this week. The Scotsman is no stranger to the links layout as well. If he wins this week he’ll be the second consecutive lefty (or ‘southpaw’) to win The Open after Brian Harman’s victory at Royal Liverpool last year.

MacIntyre hits his approach on the 1st hole during the first round

Credit: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

9:40AM

Hojgaard and Scott make up for mistakes

Hojgaard reclaims the shot he lost at the last with a great putt on Postage Stamp. Adam Scott replenishes the scorecard with a bird of his own from the other side of the hole to Hojgaard. Both move to -2.

9:37AM

Marquee groups nearly ready

Some huge names are about to tee it up in the next half an hour or so:

9:36 a.m. – Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre 

9:47 a.m. – Ludvig Åberg, Bryson DeChambeau, Tom Kim 

9:58 a.m. – Brian Harman, Viktor Hovland, Sahith Theegala 

10:09 a.m. – Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Tyrrell Hatton 

9:30AM

Song drops a shot

Song’s lengthy par putt slips just wide of the mark and he drops back into a tie of the lead with Matt Wallace. Hojgaard also makes bogey on 7, falling back to -1.

9:26AM

A clean first six for Molinari

Francesco Molinari has plotted his way around the first six holes of his Open Championship very nicely. He hasn’t put (or putt) a foot wrong thus far, carding two birdies and four pars. He sits two off early leader Song.

9:13AM

Matt Wallace, what a shot!

Briton Matt Wallace holes out for eagle from middle of the 4th fairway bringing him to -3 in an instant. His playing partner Hojgaard places it in the heart of the green. The Danes lag put comes up just short.

9:10AM

Song reclaims early lead with birdie on 7th and 8th

The Korean retakes the lead with a great birdie on 7 then steps up on the tee at the difficult 8th, sticks it within five feet and sinks it to double his lead. Super stuff.

9:05AM

Could Troon be the fields of Aaron Rai?

Aaron Rai is the only member of the world’s top 50 who doesn’t have an agent, wears two gloves and has iron head covers. The Wolverhampton man has finished seventh in his last three events and comes in full of quiet confidence. Birdie at the first for the former Scottish Open winner. Could these be the fields of Aaron Rai?

8:57AM

Four way tie at the top

Alex Noren rolls one in at pace from a mile away to tie the lead then Justin Thomas does the same from 10 feet or so to make it a four way tie at the top.

8:46AM

Best Golf Books 2024

8:42AM

Nicolai Hojgaard birdies 4th to move into tie of the lead

The Dane has played the opening four holes effortlessly, two birdies, two pars, perfect start. That said, I still can’t tell the difference between him and twin brother Rasmus. Let’s just hope for the spectators sake the brothers aren’t battling it out for the win on Sunday, that might get a little confusing. Nicolai finds the green on the par 3 5th.

Nicolai Hojgaard after chipping in on the second green

Credit: Warren Little/Getty Images

8:36AM

Fourth greenside hole out of the morning!

These players are so sharp around the greens. This time Sungjae Im chips in from the edge of the 3rd, following Scott, Hojgaard and Thomas who have all holed out from off the green this morning.

8:30AM

Back to front at Royal Troon

This is very unTroon. The old adage is that on the Ayrshire links it is par 31 going out – and par 40 coming back. That is because of the prevailing wind. However, it has switched and this morning they are against the wind on the early holes. It will make the later holes far easier.

8:25AM

Thomas holes out from the edge, Rose goes flag hunting

Some big names starting to make moves. Justin Thomas chips in brilliantly from off the back of 2. Rose gives himself a few feet for birdie with his superlative approach. He makes the birdie putt and moves into the red.

8:19AM

A look at Postage Stamp, Royal Troon’s famous 8th hole

No player has reached the 8th yet (Alex Noren is nearly there) so before they do let’s have a look at Royal Troon’s most famous – or infamous – hole and what not to do when playing it.

8:11AM

Weather update

Winds are moving at around 12-15mph with gusts of up to 23mph. It’s not very cold, around 18 degress celsius. It has started to drizzle in South Ayrshire too, even covering some of the TV cameras.

8:00AM

Molinari makes his birdie putt

Molinari holes out well as the wind starts to pick up in South Ayrshire. Rose’s putt skirts by on the right. Par for him. On 2, Nicolai Hojgaard chips in from the edge of the green.

7:56AM

Justin Thomas ready for off

The American hits a towering hybrid shot into the middle of the first cut to get his Open underway. Thomas has fallen to number 29 in the Official World Golf Rankings, but he and everyone else knows he’s better than that. Can he win his first Claret Jug this week?

7:52AM

Song with back-to-back birdies

Explosive start from the Korean. He birdies from just inside 15 feet to take the early lead.

7:50AM

Birdie chances for the European duo

Rose and Molinari both stick it close, Rose just inside the Italian. Good start from the Ryder Cup heroes.

7:46AM

Rose and Molinari on the first

2018 champ Francesco Molinari couldn’t place it better on the introductory hole, right down the middle. Justin Rose, however, finds the straw. Amateur Jasper Stubbs, playing his second major, goes far and right, may be out of bounds. Not a nice feeling for Stubbs. Playing a provisional he stripes it out the middle though.

7:42AM

Crazy first hole for Adam Scott!

What a bunker shot from the 2013 Masters champion. Over the lip, a bounce, a roll and a hole out. Scott, Ryosuke Kinoshita and Song Young-han all tied at the top on -1 now.

7:38AM

Having said that, Scott finds the bunker

From a great position, Scott pulls it left into the sand trap. That’s frustrating.

7:36AM

Adam Scott tees off at Troon

The familiar gracious swing of Adam Scott at the first. He finds the second cut on the right of the fairway, perfect positioning really. Is he still feeling the sting of his Open Championship meltdown of 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s? After finishing solo 2nd at last week’s Scottish Open, the Aussie could be one to watch at Troon this week.

7:30AM

Rough and ready

The peripheral long straw is already causing players some strife. A perfect example on the first with Lee and Hisatsune hacking out and finding the high-faced bunkers.

7:24AM

Spoke too soon…Kinoshita drops one for first birdie of the Open

And Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin sinks one of his own moments later on the third from 20 feet. The players are starting to find their mojo.

7:22AM

Game No5 tees off

Min Woo Lee pushes an iron into the rough, Hisatsune and Ancer split the fairway. Still no birdies in this opening round. Early early doors though…

7:10AM

Michael Hendry back at Open after Leukemia diagnosis

Here’s a heart warming story. Michael Hendry has teed off at The Open this morning having recovered from a serious Leukemia diagnosis, a diagnosis that put him out of action for Royal Liverpool last year. Now he’s back, swinging well again and ready to take on the might of Royal Troon. Find out more about his story in the video below.

Michael Hendry missed The 151st Open following a diagnosis of leukaemia.

Here is what it means for him to be playing at Royal Troon.

This is a story bigger than golf. pic.twitter.com/g2JywCbOnS

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2024

6:39AM

1997 Open Champion Justin Leonard hits opening tee shot

Famous announcer Ivor Robson is remembered before tee off. Winner at Royal Troon in 1997, Justin Leonard steps up to the tee. He stripes it out the par 4 1st with an iron to get things under way. 2004 champion Todd Hamilton, also using an iron, fades one out onto the fairway and debutant Jack McDonald follows suit with a beautifully rhythmic drive, placing on the short stuff. We’re off at the 152nd Open Championship.

6:31AM

Thursday pin positions

6:31AM

Selected Round 1 tee times

7:41 a.m. – Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Jasper Stubbs (a) 

7:52 a.m. – Justin Thomas, Sungjae Im, Matthew Southgate 

9:36 a.m. – Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre 

9:47 a.m. – Ludvig Åberg, Bryson DeChambeau, Tom Kim 

9:58 a.m. – Brian Harman, Viktor Hovland, Sahith Theegala 

10:09 a.m. – Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Tyrrell Hatton 

1:26 p.m. – Jason Day, Byeong Hun An, Rickie Fowler 

2:04 p.m. – Phil Mickelson, Joost Luiten, Dustin Johnson 

2:15 p.m. – Padraig Harrington, Davis Thompson, Matthew Jordan 

2:26 p.m. – Wyndham Clark, Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka 

2:37 p.m. – Tiger Woods, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay 

2:48 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns, Si Woo Kim 

2:59 p.m. – Shane Lowry, Cameron Smith, Matt Fitzpatrick 

3:10 p.m. – Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young 

6:05AM

Live from the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon

Good morning to those bleary-eyed of you who have raised in time to catch the early starters at the opening of The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Sandwiched between the European Championship and the Olympic Games, this year’s tournament has a chance to breathe in what is a short week-long hiatus between those two major sporting events.

It is unquestionably the marquee event of the week and with a mix of wind, sun and rain forecast in Ayrshire, this promises a classic links challenge to the finest players in the world.

Among them, of course, is Rory McIlroy, who is playing his second tournament since his meltdown during the closing stages of the US Open at Pinehurst last month. 

A fourth-place finish at last week’s Scottish Open suggests his game remains in good shape but whether he is ready mentally for the cauldron of a The Open, so soon after throwing away a fifth major championship, remains to be seen.

The eighth hole, also known as Postage Stamp, at Royal Troon

Credit: Tom Shaw/Getty Images

The Northern Irishman is out at 10.09 this morning alongside Max Homa and Tyrell Hatton in what looks like the headline group among the early starters. Click here for full round one tee times.

Later in the day, Tiger Woods gets underway at 2.47pm on a course at which he has played three times during The Open. A three-time winner of this event, Woods has struggled here, with his ninth-placed finish in 2004 his best showing.

Pay close attention to Hole 8 this morning – named Postage Stamp. What looks like an easy 123-yard Par 3 is perhaps the hardest of its kind played at any Open venue.

Sharp slopes all around the green are ready to take errant tee shots into the penal greenside bunkers, while the putting surface itself is, at most, 11 paces wide. 

With the wind set to touch 30mph around midday, Postage Stamp could yet bare its teeth to the very best in the world. It just might make you all feel a touch better about your games to see a pro take seven from 123 yards. 

Grab a coffee and let’s enjoy a superb morning of action from Royal Troon.

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