WALLACE’S CHUNKY CHIP

MATT WALLACE saw the “funny side” of hitting a “divot further than the ball” after asking his caddie to tend the flag for a 50-yard chip.

He had fancied his chances of holing out from the fairway on the par-five 12th hole.

But with his bagman Dave Mcneilly holding the flag, the world No.47 chunked the chip to start a run of three consecutive bogeys.

Wallace, who recovered to card a level-par 70, tweeted: “Slope behind the pin, tried to exploit it and didn’t wanna hit the pin.

“A bit excessive, possibly.

“I kinda found the funny side after I hit the divot further than the ball. #chunkcity.”

Andy Sullivan carded a 71, but the other early UK starters struggled.

And 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose, who shot a 73, admitted he had missed out in the favourable conditions with soft September greens and generous pin positions.

“I feel like it was great golfing conditions this morning,” he

A LOW POINT Englishman Matt made a mess of his chip effort said. “There’s still a tiny bit of moisture in the golf course, it’s receptive to good iron shots. “Today was the day to make a score.”

The 2010 winner Graeme Mcdowell, who carded a 74, added: “The golf course was kind of there for the taking as far as Winged Foot was going to be there for the taking this morning.

“I made the mistakes that you just can’t make out here really, which is not getting the ball in play off the tee.”

Tyrrell Hatton and Tom Lewis both shot 74s.

Ian Poulter carded a 75, Danny Willett struggled to a 77 and Eddie Pepperell limped home in 78.