OOSTHUIZEN, SPIETH LIGHT UP BRITISH OPEN ON OPENING DAY

SANDWICH: Former champions Louis Oosthuizen and Jordan Spieth sparkled in the morning sunshine as the 149th British Open started at Royal St George’s on Thursday.

South African Oosthuizen, the winner in 2010, made six birdies in a flawless 64 to finish on six under par, one shot ahead of American Spieth, champion in 2017. Brian Harman matched his compatriot Spieth with a 65 to share second place, one clear of Canadian Mackenzie Hughes, South African Dylan Frittelli and veteran American Stewart Cink, another former champion.

Oosthuizen, 38, struck his irons beautifully to pick up three birdies around the turn and added three more on the closing holes to make a strong start to his bid for a second major title.

“Probably in my mind it was the perfect round I could have played,” he said. “I didn’t make many mistakes. When I had good opportunities for birdie, I made the putts. So, yeah, just a very good solid round.”

Spieth made four consecutive birdies from the fifth hole and sank a 12-foot putt on the 16th green to cap a fine round and confirm the 27-year-old’s return to form after he finished 2020 ranked 82nd in the world.

England’s Justin Rose, Danny Willett, Andy Sullivan and Jack Senior carded 67s along with South African Justin Harding, American Scottie Scheffler and South Korea’s An Byeong-hun.

The 2020 tournament was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic but up to 32,000 fans are allowed in each day this year as part of a government test event and warm applause rippled around the links course.

“The Open is a very special venue, a very special tournament for everyone,” Willett, the 2016 Masters champion, said. “To be able to be clapped onto every tee, every green makes a big difference in this game and it’s been fantastic to have them back.”