Golf: round one summary of the British Open at the Royal St. George course

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Leader board

SANDWICH, United Kingdom – Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes made his mark early Thursday morning at the British Open.

Hughes of Hamilton, Ont., Handed a 66 (under-4) card on the course at Royal St. George’s to find himself close to the tournament lead. The one who came close to securing victory last month at Torrey Pines is not the only one who has achieved success so far, however.

Stewart Cink, the 2009 British Open champion at Turnberry, is three times tied for fourth with Dylan Frittelli and Hughes.

At the stroke of noon, there were 48 players who had handed cards under par, although a certain logic was respected.

Louis Oosthuizen was enthroned at the top of the general classification, just ahead of the American Jordan Spieth.

Applauded by the largest crowd allowed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Oosthuizen managed to save par from a fairway sand pit on the last hole to sign a 64 (minus-6) card.

Spieth followed a shot behind, tied with compatriot Brian Harman, having excelled on the greens as he did so well in 2017.

On the pitch, from the first tee, it feels like we’re back to our old-fashioned routine, as it was before, before COVID-19, “said Spieth, whose streak of four consecutive birdies during his round of 65 was vaguely reminiscent of his run at Royal Birkdale four years ago, when he lifted the prestigious ‘Claret Jug’.

Spieth hadn’t triumphed since winning the Royal Birkdale title, but he ended that shortage by winning the Valero Texas Open in April.

Oosthuizen has just finished second at two back-to-back major tournaments – the PGA Championship and the United States Open – and he will be able to do it again after tying the best opening round in history at Royal St. George’s . Christy O’Connor Jr. had played 64 in 1981.

His round had not started as he hoped, however, with seven pars in a row. The South African, however, rebounded with six birdies on the next nine holes.

“I’ve learned over the years from participating in majors that patience is the key,” said Oosthuizen, who has not won a Grand Slam title since winning the 2010 British Open in St Andrews. He has, however, finished second six times in major tournaments in the meantime.

Favorite Dustin Johnson hit 14 greens in recommended shots and said he was happy with his round of 68, enough for a tie for 15th.

United States Open champion Jon Rahm struggled through his round and settled for a score of 71. Bryson DeChambeau got the same score after spending most of the time. its round in the long grass, depriving it of its unique power.

Defending British Open champion Shane Lowry also played 71 in front of a crowd limited to 32,000 daily this week. No major tournament since the one presented at the Royal Portrush, which was won by Lowry in 2019, has hosted so many golf enthusiasts.