Kisner charges ahead
Champion Spieth and other big stars struggle in first round
KEVIN Kisner of the United States led the way after the first round of the British Open but Rory McIlroy is one of the big names who got their bid for the Claret Jug off to an encouraging start at Carnoustie.
Kisner went out in one of the first groups just before 8am (3pm Malaysian time), yet his five-under round of 66 was not beaten all day as reigning champion Jordan Spieth and other big names struggled to properly get to grips with the Scottish links.
That means Kisner is a shot clear at the top of the leaderboard.
“The golf course is great for me,” said the 34-year-old, who led going into the final round of last year’s PGA Championship before finishing tied for seventh.
“Going forward, you never know what you’re going to have in Scotland. I know the rain is coming in tomorrow,” added Kisner, who is sharing a house with Spieth and several other US stars this week.
Kisner had an eagle and four birdies in his round on a perfect summer’s day on Scotland’s east coast, and he leads from compatriot Tony Finau and the South African duo of Erik van Rooyen and Zander Lombard, who all went round in 67.
Another South African, Brandon Stone, joined American pair Ryan Moore and Brendan Steele in shooting a three-under 68, while McIlroy lurks ominously after a two-under round of 69.
Back at the course where he was the best amateur as a fresh-faced teenager the last time The Open came here in 2007, the Northern Irishman adopted an attack-minded approach and had just one dropped shot all day, at the par-four fifth hole.
McIlroy will be one of the earliest starters in the second round, going out time), begins and PGA at Zach a his 7.52am full champion round. Johnson, five hours (2,52pm Justin the before 2015 Malaysian Thomas Kisner Open champion, along with are former also US two-under, Masters champion Danny Willett and Spain’s Jon Rahm.
Americans have won the last five Majors, including Spieth’s victory at Royal Birkdale 12 months ago. However, his defence of the trophy did not get off to the best start, as a poor him conclude finish to his the first day round one-over saw after a 72. He went to the 15th tee three-under, only to drop three shots on the next two holes. He then drove into the Barry Burn on the 18th – scene of Frenchman Jean Van de Velde’s infamous final-day meltdown in 1999 – and ended with another bogey. “It felt like a missed opportunity. I felt like I was really going well,” said the Texan, who hopes that a turn for the worse in the weather forecast for yesterday will spark an upturn in his fortunes.
“I think I’m certainly in a recoverable situation. I mean, I imagine this is as easy as the course could play.”
As the prolonged summer heat wave continued on Scotland’s North Sea coast, world number one Dustin Johnson was one of those who had an afternoon to forget.
He shot a five-over 76 and faces a struggle to make the weekend, with weather conditions set to deteriorate later.