Open lowdown

The best and the worst of day one

Leader Kevin Kisner hit only 22 putts in the opening round, three fewer than the secondbest putter on the day, Marc Leishman. It was the lowest number of putts Kisner has ever hit in his professional career.

The worst-ranked putter was England’s

Oliver

Wilson, who hit 37. Twotime Masters champion

Bubba Watson, who finished the day four shots over par, hit 36. The Open records every drive at holes six and 10 and five players managed 400 yards or over yesterday. Hideki Matsuyama, below, led the way, with Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson close behind. Brooks Koepka started his round by driving on to the first green, coming up just short on the second and driving over the third. He played these in one under par but his aggressive style then let him down as he completed the front nine in 41 shots. Erik van Rooyen lies second and it was clear his plan was to plot his way accurately around the course. Rory Mcilroy’s approach was completely different and he was tied 141st for fairways hit with only four out of 15. Yet he lies only two shots behind the South African.

Omens

Tiger Woods’ early birdie was his first on the opening hole at a major championship since the 2012 Open, when he tied for third. None of the previous seven winners of the Open at Carnoustie led the field after either the first or second rounds. Each of the last nine Open champions began the tournament with a round in the 60s so if you are one under or worse then it is time to buck the trend. Each of the last 19 Open champions were at or within five shots of the leader after the opening round so Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose have their work cut out. Rose, who ended the day one over par, has finished even or over par in the first round of his last six major championships. Spieth, who finished one shot over par, has never finished in the top 10 of a major championship with an opening round over par.