“I don’t know how that ball missed”. “The heartbreak of that is overshadowing my round right now”.
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His round included an eagle on the par-4 third hole.
Patrick Reed shot five-under-par 66, and three others from the USA recorded 67s – Justin Thomas, Steve Stricker and Billy Horschel.
Rookie Justin Thomas birdied the first four holes before signing off for a four-under 67 on his Open debut.
Add to the mix the last six winners at Royal Troon have all been American and it appears to enhance Johnson’s chances along with those of compatriot and two-time major victor Jordan Spieth, who is not playing that well but still getting results.
Laid-back American Johnson comes into the championship fresh from finally winning a major at the US Open last month and he shares the status of the favourite with world number one Jason Day of Australia.
Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, who has endured a poor season after an incident with a chainsaw damaged his left hand in January, carded a 69. But two under par, something in the 60s, it’s a solid start.
“I missed the Open Championship a year ago, obviously”.
” Typical me”, joked Rose, who has been practising at Troon since last Monday after flying straight in from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. “To see the sun I felt like it was a lot easier than what I had to deal with all last week and it kind of allowed me to be a little more aggressive with iron shots into the greens”.
“It’s not just about turning up and playing and collecting a trophy”, McIlroy said. “I really rolled the ball well”. Then they try do hold their ground on Troon’s back nine, which is 300 yards longer than the front and plays into the wind. “But I’m certainly happy with the start”.
Third past year while still in college at the University of Alabama, Shelton is making his second PGA Tour start as a professional.
“I actually put an Instagram post up in that bunker and said: “Don’t put it here”. “Their defense is the bunker, so for me it’s all about just navigating the bunkers … if you can stay out of the bunkers this week, I think you’re going to do pretty well”.
After a one-year hiatus, Johnny Miller is back to calling the shots at a major that he won.
After the round, the 22-year-old was asked if it was the flatstick that let him down on Thursday. “I get to go to some of the events I’ve always wanted to watch and then I get to play in it”.
TROON, Scotland (AP) – On the Royal Troon links where his father once served as the club secretary, Colin Montgomerie got the British Open started on Thursday morning by hitting the opening tee shot.
Former champion Louis Oosthuizen emphasised the point when he aced the 14th hole, his tee shots taking two hops and diving out of sight, helping him to finish with a 71.
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The toughest stretch comes at 10, 11 and 12, a trio of extremely challenging par fours, before the course turns back towards home.
