Sixth hole proves a tough test

SOUTHPORT, England — The sixth hole at Royal Birkdale lived up to its fearsome reputation on Thursday.

David Duval can vouch for that.

The 2001 British Open champion ran up a quadruple-bogey 8 and was one of eight players to make double or worse at the 499yard hole that ranked No. 1 in the first round, with an average score of 4.5. It was the toughest hole the last two Opens held at Birkdale, in 1998 and 2008.

The signature hole on the front side is a left-to-right dogleg that requires a precise drive and long second shot to an elevated and well-contoured green protected by three bunkers at the front — two on the right and one on the left — and surrounded by dunes.

Dustin Johnson, the world’s top-ranked player, was asked before the tournament what he would call the hole if it were to be given a name, like they do at St. Andrews and some other Open courses.

“Probably words I couldn’t use in a press conference,” Johnson said.

Defending champion Henrik Stenson said he was sure it will be the toughest hole this week. Westerville’s Jason Day said making par would be like making a birdie.

There were only eight birdies in the 156player field.

Caddie helps McIlroy rally

Rory McIlroy was standing on the sixth tee and already doubting his chances of making the weekend at the British Open when his negative thoughts were interrupted by his caddie, J.P. Fitzgerald.

“He reminded me who I was, basically,” said McIlroy, a fourtime major champion. “He said: ‘You’re Rory McIlroy, what are you doing?’”

McIlroy then got up and down from a front bunker for par at the short seventh hole, rolled in a 15-foot putt for par at the eighth hole after having pushed his drive into the rough, and birdied four of his last eight holes to shoot a 1-over 71.