McILROY PULLS OUT ALL STOPS AT BRITISH OPEN
▶ Northern Irishman attacks his way to a two-under 69, three behind leader Kisner
Rory McIlroy is “convinced” his attacking strategy at the British Open will give him the best chance of winning the title after an encouraging first round at Carnoustie on Thursday.
McIlroy, 29, said in the build-up to the tournament that he wanted to play care-free and risky golf, and he certainly lived up to his expectations after completing his opening round with a two-under par 69.
On the scorched Carnoustie fairways, which closer resemble concrete than a golf course, many players opted to play it safe and plot their way around, wary of the dangers a wayward shot might produce.
However, McIlroy was among a select group of players who chose to attack, often teeing off with driver when others went for a long iron.
His strategy has worked, and the four-time major winner signed for his round three shots behind clubhouse leader Kevin Kisner.
“Even if you play aggressive around here, you might make more bogeys than playing it safe, but you’re going to make more birdies as well,” McIlroy said.
“I got away with some tee shots, but at the same time, I think that’s what I have to do. That’s my game plan this week.
“I’m convinced that that’s the way that I should play it. It’s not going to be for everyone, but it worked out pretty well for me and I would have taken 69 to start the day.”
While McIlroy is sticking to his guns over his attacking game plan, he admitted there were moments of doubt, particularly when he decided to go for the green on the par-4 third. After waiting for 15 minutes for the green to clear, McIlroy’s drive found the rough at the back of the green, but he was soon vindicated after an up-and-down delivered his first birdie of the day.
“I’d been waiting so long I didn’t want to mess that up,” he said. “That hole was a validation for me, it proved to me it’s the right way for me to play here, it was a little personal victory.”
One player who has thrived using a more cautious approach is Kisner, who leads after a five-under par 66, which featured four birdies and an eagle.
Kisner chose to use his driver just four times in his opening round, but his more reserved strategy worked wonders as the American enters Friday’s second round with a one-shot advantage over compatriot Tony Finau, and South African pair Erik Van Rooyen and Zander Lombard.
“I think I only hit four drivers all day, maybe five,” Kisner said.
“I just want the ball on the fairway because it’s not an overly long golf course. Maybe five iron was the longest. I hit a hybrid into 12. You’re not going to have that many long clubs into the hole.
“If I can keep it in the fairway, I feel like I can control my golf ball around the green.”
There was also an encouraging opening round for former US Masters and Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion Danny Willett.
The Englishman, who has struggled for form and fitness over the past two years, struck a two-under 68. “It could have been a really, really nice knock, but at the end of the day it wasn’t so. But, again, you take the four days and see where it puts you,” Willett said.
Defending British Open champion Jordan Spieth described his opening round at Carnoustie on Thursday as a “missed opportunity”.
Spieth, who won the 2017 Open in thrilling fashion at Royal Birkdale, began his title defence in impressive fashion with two birdies after the first four holes.
The American was then three-under after 11 holes to contend with the top of the leaderboard. However, a double bogey on 15 was followed by dropped shots on 16 and 18 as Spieth signed for a one-over par 72. “It felt like a missed opportunity,” Spieth, 24, said. “I felt like I was really going well.
“I had a nice par save after driving it in the bunker at six but other than that, it was very stress-free.
“I was putting the ball where I needed to, having maybe no more than fewer feet for par on every hole. It was just a clean round of golf.
“I hit my driver really well and hit my short irons and putted pretty well but those long irons just didn’t quite hold up, and it really hurt me. However, I know what I need to work on.
“My swing just didn’t quite hold up to the end of my round and my decision making cost me too.”
Despite the opening round frustrations, Spieth is confident he can recover and get back into contention.
“I’m certainly in a recoverable situation,” the three-time major winner said. “I imagine this is as easy as the course will play.
“I don’t see the winning score being any better than it was in 2007, with tomorrow’s forecasted tough conditions and Sunday’s forecasted heavy winds.
“I think wherever it is Saturday night, it comes back on Sunday too.
“It’s not a bad place to be. I need a solid round tomorrow to stay in the top 25.
“The top 20 will be the goal to feel like I can do something on the weekend.”
Spieth is joined at one-over by former US Open and Olympic champion Justin Rose, the two-time Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Tommy Fleetwood, and 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.
Spieth’s compatriot Rickie Fowler fared slightly better during his opening round, carding a one-under par 69.
“You can’t win on the first day but I did a good job of getting off to a solid start,” Fowler, 29, said. “I love playing links golf and it’s definitely my favourite style of golf.
“It’s fun seeing a place as burnt out and fast as this, tee to green. The harder you hit it, the further it can go offline and you definitely have to pick those wisely.”
Among the players level with Fowler heading into Friday’s second round is 2016 Open champion Henrik Stenson, who won the Claret Jug in record-breaking fashion at Royal Troon.
It’s not a bad place to be. The top 20 will be the goal to feel like I can do something on the weekend JORDAN SPIETH