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The wind was blowing, the course was stunning, and Iver Robson’s signature announcing voice was on display once again for the 144th British Open at St. Andrews.
The Old Course is a gem to the golfing world and it showed once again in Thursday’s first round why it will always be the birthplace of the gentlemen’s game, holding nothing back for the 156 contenders as they compete for the gold medal and the title of “Champion Golfer of the Year.”
Sitting atop the leaderboard is Dustin Johnson, looking to redeem himself for losing the U.S. Open last month to the eventual champion Jordan Spieth. Johnson carded a 7-under par round that included five birdies and an eagle on the Fifth Hole. The 31-year-old records his third bogey-free round at a major championship that nearly got away on the 17th “Road” Hole where he scrambled to save par.
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Playing in the same group as our leader was Spieth, who won the John Deere Classic a week before the season’s third major. He was questioned as to why he chose to do so as he flew immediately into Scotland upon his victory, but the 21-year-old adapted quicker than expected. Spieth recorded a round of 67, good enough for 5-under and a tie for eighth place. His round included seven birdies, five coming on the front nine, but he would card two bogeys on 13 and 17 as well. The Masters and U.S. Open champion is looking to become the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win the first three majors in a single season.
Notables:
Scotland’s own Paul Lawrie had a great start to his 24th British Open appearance. The 46-year-old scored a 6-under 66 to put him in a tie for second place with five others, including Retief Goosen, Jason Day, and Zach Johnson. Lawrie is known for his Open Championship victory in 1999 when Jean Van de Velde triple-bogeyed the final hole; he’d win in a playoff over the Frenchman and 1997 winner Justin Leonard.
Tiger Woods is likely to miss the cut unless he can pull a miraculous round on Friday. The three-time British Open champion shot a round of 76 that saw only one birdie and five bogeys. He played alongside Day (66) and 2010 British Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen (67).
A memorable first round at The Old Course for the amateurs as six players went under-par. Leading the way is American Jordan Niebrugge carding a round of 67 and a tie for eighth.
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Friday’s second round will start at 6:30 AM (Scotland Time).