Hopes are high of top Aussies finish
BIG guns Jason Day, Adam Scott and Marc Leishman head a promising Australian challenge after the first round of the British Open at Royal Birkdale.
Day, Scott, Leishman, fellow US PGA star Aaron Baddeley and major rookie Andrew Dodt all carded oneunder-par 69s in demanding conditions to sit four shots back on a tight leaderboard.
Jordan Spieth, US Open champion Brooks Koepka and fellow American Matt Kuchar lead after firing 65s, with perennial English hope Paul Casey and South Africa’s former Masters winner Charl Scwartzel one adrift.
Day and Scott endured rollercoaster rounds but late birdies gave both major winners all-important momentum heading into what looms as a devilish second round in fierce winds.
Day earned rousing applause from the gallery on 18 after draining a 10-metre putt on the last to drag himself into red numbers. “It was kind of back and forth,” said the world No.6, who mixed four birdies with three bogeys and struggled to find his rhythm off the tee.
“It’s really hard because for the most part I hit most irons going up to 15 and then you pull driver out and it feels foreign.
“I hit three poor drives, going up 15, 16, 17. Got myself out of position on all those holes, and didn’t play well.
“But I made a good putt on 18, which was a nice way to finish.” Scott hit 16 greens and could have shot anything but, after working his way to two-under early, had to battle back from even par to join Day, Leishman and Baddeley in the red.
“In the 60s, first round of a major, is a good start. It could have been a couple better, sure, but you can’t really look at it like that. I think it’s a good, solid start,” he said.
In a dream debut, Dodt stormed home with three straight birdies to also sign for a 69, while Matthew Griffin was also thrilled with his even-par round of 70 in his first Open.
Rio Olympian Scott Hend is not out of the reckoning after shooting 71, but Cameron Smith headed straight to the practice range after opening with a four- over 74.
Ashley Hall, who earned his way into the field with an equal second with Smith behind Spieth at the Australian Open, and Adam Bland also returned 75s, while rookie Ryan McCarthy signed for a 76.