LEADER OOS-ES CLASS IN PERFECT OPENING
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN contending in major championships has become one of the most predictable features of big-time golf in recent years.
Second in the last two majors, the South African is at it again here at Royal St George’s, leading the way on six under after day one of the Open Championship.
Oosthuizen did enjoy the better of the conditions yesterday, before the winds got up on the Kent coast, and he certainly took advantage with some delightful play.
The 38-year-old, who went round with defending champion Shane Lowry and US Open champion Jon Rahm, didn’t drop a shot in his round of 64.
He really got going with three birdies in a row from the eighth and three more then came on 13, 14 and 16 – this was a fine day’s work for Oosthuizen.
Jordan Spieth, who had been strongly talked about in the build-up as a potential winner, started with a five-under 65, leaving him just one shot off the lead.
Spieth (right), the champion at Royal Birkdale in 2017, showed all his excellence with four sparkling birdies in a row on the front nine.
A less well-known American, Brian Harman, was on the same mark, five under, after getting off to a flyer with four birdies in his first five holes.
Many of the game’s biggest names built themselves decent early platforms. England’s Justin Rose is three off the pace on three under, with world No.1 Dustin Johnson a shot further back on two under, as is Spain’s Sergio Garcia – who needed a police escort to make his tee time after getting caught in traffic – and Italian Francesco Molinari. Rory McIlroy found life harder work at Sandwich, although he did have to deal with those tricky winds when he went out shortly after 3pm. The Northern
Irishman, chasing a first major victory since 2014, began in ideal fashion, with a birdie three on the first. But he carded three bogeys in a row from the fifth and started to look under pressure.
He did rally late on however, birdies on the 14th and 18th giving him a level-par 70. McIlroy’s old sparring partner Patrick Reed, who was in the same group, failed to shine as he posted a 72.
It was a heartening sight here yesterday as the gates opened, for the first competitive Open golf since Lowry stormed to victory at Royal Portrush two years ago. There were 32,000 fans present and the galleries relished seeing these great superstars in action.
It was a painful blow for this sport when the 2020 Open was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. Now we could finally start to enjoy the 149th edition of the grandest major.
Oosthuizen leads the way. But the twists and turns to come over the next three days in the Kent sunshine are sure to be fascinating.