Kisner has eyes on prize
Leader shoots 66 for one- stroke lead; Tiger 5 back after 71
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland — The claret jug was on the first tee Thursday at Carnoustie, a trophy Kevin Kisner knows all too well.
Kisner flew home from the British Open last year with Jordan Spieth, a flight that was delayed while waiting on Spieth to finish up his duties as the champion golfer of the year. Kisner was on the plane with Spieth last week to Paris to see the Ryder Cup course, and Spieth had to bring the jug along to return it to the R& A when they arrived at this links course along the North Sea.
‘‘ And I’m staying with him this week, and he no longer has it,’’ Kisner said. ‘‘ He gave it back Monday. It would be cool to return the favor.’’
Kisner played like he was serious about that. He made a long eagle putt on the par- 5 sixth hole, then ran off three consecutive birdies on the back nine. He finished with a 5- under- par 66 before some 60 players even had started the round, and nobody could catch him.
In what might be the easiest conditions of the week, Kisner kept the ball in play and made just about everything. He took only 22 putts and had a one- shot lead, giving him little more than bragging rights in the house of stars where he is staying.
‘‘ The golf course is great for me,’’ Kisner said. ‘‘ The conditions have been fine. Going forward, you never know what you’re going to have in Scotland. I know the rain is coming in [ Friday]. I don’t think the rain is going to affect how the golf course is playing in one day, but I have to just keep doing what I’m doing. If I have 22 putts the next three days, I bet I’ll have a pretty good shot.’’
Carnoustie still managed to hold its own. One shot behind was a collection of players with little history in golf ’s biggest events, including Erik van Rooyen and Zander Lombard. Tony Finau had eight birdies to offset his share of mistakes to join them at 4- under 67.
Of the top seven players on the leaderboard, none has won a major. Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm powered their way to 2- under 69s, going for the green on short par- 4s. Tiger Woods took out his driver one time and shot an even- par 71, a round slowed by a short putt he missed and a pot bunker he couldn’t avoid.
‘‘ I played better than what the score indicates,’’ Woods said. ‘‘ I had two 8- irons into both par- 5s today, and I ended up with par on both of those. If I just clean up those two holes and play them the way I’m supposed to play them with 8- iron in my hand, I think I’d probably have the best round in the afternoon wave.’’
Only 11 of the 31 players who broke par were in the afternoon side of the draw.