American early starter Justin Thomas overcame a mid-round wobble to take the clubhouse lead on the 152nd Open with a gap spherical three-under 68 at a blustery Royal Troon on Thursday.
The twice former PGA champion galloped to 4 below after 10 holes earlier than hitting hassle however completed strongly, sinking an extended birdie on the final to set the early tempo.
Sweden’s Alex Noren, England’s Justin Rose and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard all completed on two below.
A number of huge names struggled although in testing situations on the Ayrshire coast, not least reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau who was six over after 11 holes and world quantity two Rory McIlroy whose problem started badly.
Thomas, who has by no means had a top-10 end on the Open and missed the minimize final yr, birdied the second, fourth and seventh and in addition the Postage Stamp par-three eighth.
However a double bogey six on the twelfth and a bogey on the thirteenth stunted his progress however he holed a par putt from 17 toes on the fifteenth after which birdied the final two holes to take the lead.
“I performed so properly in the present day however gave a pair again originally of the again 9,” former world primary Thomas stated. “I’m enjoying very well and feeling assured about my sport. “It’s good to get off to an excellent begin in a serious.”
Play started below cloudy skies at 6.35am native time on the Ayrshire coast with 1997 Open champion Justin Leonard placing the primary tee shot of the day. He completed with an 80 however was not the one participant struggling in tough situations.
DeChambeau was at risk of enjoying himself out of the match on day one whereas the likes McIlroy, Max Homa and Tommy Fleetwood have been additionally struggling.
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Northern Eire’s McIlroy, bidding for his fifth main title 10 years after his final one, bogeyed the primary and dropped two pictures on the Postage Stamp as his bunker escape rolled again into the cavernous sand lure.
And issues bought worse as he bogeyed the tenth after which emerged with a double bogey on the eleventh after hitting his tee shot out of bounds over the railway observe skirting the course.
McIlroy was 5 over after 11.
Reigning champion Brian Harman uncharacteristically endured an up-and-down entrance 9 with two birdies and three bogeys and was stage par with six holes of his spherical remaining.
Giant galleries headed for dwelling favorite Robert MacIntyre who was joined by Spain’s Jon Rahm and England’s Fleetwood.
Final week’s Scottish Open winner MacIntyre began solidly however undid an early birdie with missed par putt on the fifth and was one over after 14 holes.
Rahm additionally minimize a annoyed determine at occasions as he was one over after 14 with the Troon hyperlinks proving an actual take a look at.
World primary Scottie Scheffler is among the many late starters alongside fellow Individuals Jordan Spieth, the 2017 Open champion, and Cameron Younger.