Kisner’s 66 in ideal conditions leads first round of British Open
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland —The silver claret jug was on the first tee Thursday morning at Carnoustie, a trophy that 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 his duties as the champion golfer of the year. Just last week, Kisner was on the plane with Spieth to Paris to see the Ryder Cup course, and Spieth had to bring the jug along to return it to the R&A Brandon Stone 33-35 — 68 -3 Ryan Moore 33-35 — 68 -3 Brendan Steele 35-33 — 68 -3 Complete scores, Page 6C
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when they arrived at this links 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, ran off three straight birdies on the back nine and finished with 5-under 66 before some 60 players had even started the opening round. And nobody could catch him.
BRITISH OPEN
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, with roommates that include five major champions and Rickie Fowler.
“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 tomorrow. 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 puts the next three days, I bet I’ll have a pretty good shot.”
Carnoustie still managed to hold itsown.
One shot behind was a collection of players with little history in golf ’s biggest events, including Erik Van Rooyen and Zander Lombard of South Africa. Tony Finau had eight birdies to offset his share of mistakes to join them at 67.
Of the top seven on the leaderboard, none has won a major.
Rory Mcilroy and Jon Rahm each shot 69, going for the green on short par 4s. Tiger Woods took out his driver one time and shot 71, a round slowed by a short putt he missed and a pot bunker he couldn’t avoid.
Three of Kisner’s housemates also were under par — PGA champion Justin Thomas (69), two-time major champion Zach Johnson (70) and Fowler (70). Another is Spieth, who was in range of the lead until he made one mental error and two bad swings while dropping four shots over the last four holes for a 72 that didn’t do too much damage.
Even in gentle weather by Scottish standards, Carnoustie served up its usual dose of craziness.
Padraig Harrington holed a short putt for par on the opening hole and turned to leave when he saw a golf ball trundle onto the green. It was the tee shot of U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka, who hit driver off the tee to set up an easy birdie.
That was as easy as it got for Koepka for the next two hours. He shot 41 on the front nine and then 31 on the back.
“The scores probably weren’t as low as we anticipated, but 1 over is not the worst,” Koepka said. “Definitely didn’t shoot myself out of it, which very easily could have happened.”
Carnoustie was not kind to everyone.
Dustin Johnson, the world’s No. 1 player, managed only one birdie in a round of 76. Masters champ Patrick Reed, Hideki Matsuyama, Bubba Watson and Sergio Garcia were all at 75 and now have to worry about just getting to the weekend.