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Mighty McIlroy Storms into Open Lead
Woods Upset at Phone and Camera Nuisances
Kiradech Battles to Even Start at Open
Putter Saves Thongchai at Open
Mighty McIlroy Storms into Open Lead
HOYLAKE, July 17, 2014 (AFP) - Rory McIlroy shot a flawless six-under 66 to lead by one stroke after the first round of the British Open on Thursday on a day of low scoring which also saw fit-again Tiger Woods find some form.
The 25-year-old Irishman's opening salvo was the second best round he has carded at the Open, bettered only by the course record of 63 he shot in the first round at St Andrews four years ago.
On that occasion he came back to the Old Course the next day and slumped to a horrendous 80 that wrecked his title hopes.
McIlroy finished a gripping, sun-drenched day at Royal Liverpool one shot clear of rising star Matteo Manassero, who had seven birdies en route to a 67, the 21-year-old Italian's best Open score in four appearances.
Two more Italians - the Molinari brothers Edoardo and Francesco - were a further stroke back at four under 68, level with Americans Jim Furyk and Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia of Spain and world number one Adam Scott of Australia.
In what was a top class leaderboard, nine players were camped on three-under 69 including Woods, who was playing in just his second tournament since undergoing back surgery in late March.
The 38-year-old American, who won at Hoylake the last time the Open was held there in 2006, bogeyed his first two holes, but three straight birdies from the 11th saw him move to two under and put a visible spring in his step as he closed out a morale-boosting round.
McIlroy looked full of confidence from the start in a young guns grouping with Jordan Spieth of the United States and Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.
He was three under after just six holes and further birdies came at 10, 12 and 16 as he quickly stamped his credentials as tournament favourite.
The two-time major winner could have gone even lower had he not hit his second from the rough into a tough greenside pot bunker at the par-five last.
"Anytime you shoot 66 at the Open Championship, you're going to be pleased," said McIlroy, who missed the cut at Muirfield last year.
"We had perfect scoring conditions out there this morning. There wasn't much wind early on. The wind started to pick up a little bit on the back nine.
"But there was plenty of opportunities to make birdies. I was able to take a few of them. Another great start and looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow."
Manassero, tipped for golfing greatness since he won the British Amateur title in 2009 at the age of 16 said that he was happy to fly the Italian flag at Hoylake with the Molinari brothers.
"So very good for Italian golf. We got off to a fast start, all of us. And when you've got three, you don't have only one, there is more chances they're going to stay up until Sunday," he said.
"And it's going to be wonderful to have a few Italians up there on Sunday afternoon. It's going to be fun, if there is."
Defending champion Phil Mickelson struggled to get going as he came in with a 74, top home hope Justin Rose settled for a 72 and US Open champion Martin Kaymer a 73.
The champion of two years ago, Ernie Els, had a nightmare day after hitting a young spectator with his first tee shot.
The South African looked upset on the way to a soul-destroying 79.
Woods, playing his first major of the year, was the focus of attention early on in front of a packed gallery.
The player who has dominated world golf over the last 17 years came into Hoylake at a crucial juncture in his stupendous career.
The latest in a succession of swing-stress related injuries over the last few years saw him revert to back surgery in late March to relieve a pain that left him at times unable even to get out of bed.
Woods, 18 months shy of his 40th birthday, says that for the first time in years he is pain free and ready to go as he once again hones in on his lifelong obsession of matching and finally surpassing the all-time major record of 18 wins held by Jack Nicklaus since 1986.
Many though questioned the wisdom of his decision to return to action so quickly after his back surgery raising question marks over his physical and mental capacities at top tournament level.
Those doubts looked reasonable after his faltering start, but the triple birdie run on the back nine indicated otherwise and Woods looked energised as he came off the 18th green.
"I figured out how to manage my way around the golf course after an awful start, but got back to even par on the turn," he said.
"I know what it's like to win here but the golf course is completely different to when I won in 2006, it's much lusher. The weather forecast will change things over the next few days though."
Woods Upset at Phone and Camera Nuisances
HOYLAKE, July 17, 2014 (AFP) - Tiger Woods showed glimpses of his former greatness during a crafted opening three-under 69 at the British Open Thursday, but said it could have been lower if not for cameras clicking and mobile phones going off during his round.
The American 14-time major winner pulled back from several shots to regain concentration and compose himself, and was evidently annoyed at the end of a day, he thought could have been more prosperous.
"People were taking a lot of pictures and we had it all day long today, there were a lot of cameras out there," Woods said at the end of his first round on the sunbaked par-72 Hoylake layout.
"We were backing out of shots and a lot of people moving around, it was tough," added the 38-year-old Californian who was followed by throngs of enthusiastic fans.
"Unfortunately, people don't just put there phones on silent or some of the professional guys (photographers) were getting on their trigger a little early."
Woods remarks and annoyance, especially at the par five 18th when he planted his second shot in a greenside pot bunker after he was forced to pull out of his swing when distracted, even forced course officials to issue a statement.
"I've had numerous years of dealing with this. There's a lot of moving parts out there and you've just got to stay focused and plod your way around, continued Woods.
Mobile phones were banned after 2006, when Woods won his 12th major at Hoylake, but reintroduced in 2012 at Royal Lytham.
The Executive Director of the Championships Johnnie Cole-Hamilton issued a statement shortly after Woods' remarks.
"We are delighted to have big crowds here enjoying the golf and I know there are a lot of fans here who are experiencing the Open for the first time this week.
"We urge them and all our spectators to keep their phones on silent and remind them that taking photographs on Championship days is not permitted." said Cole-Hamilton.
Despite the controversy, the former world number one shook off a rocky start to his round with consecutive bogeys, by bouncing back with five birdies in six holes on the back nine.
"I'm getting stronger, I'm getting faster and I'm getting more explosive. The ball is starting to travel again and these are all positive things," continued Woods.
The Florida resident, who is playing only his second competitive tournament since much needed back surgery, says his comeback at the Congressional last month where he missed the cut, was crucial to the way he played on Thursday.
"I think Congressional was a big stepping stone for me. If this was my first tournament back, not really knowing how explosive I could be, how hard I could go at it, the shots I could play, all those were variables I took care of at Congressional.
"Today was totally different and consequently I shot a better score. I felt good about a lot of things I did out there today, especially after the start I had, to fight myself back into the championship so I feel pretty good about it."
Kiradech Battles to Even Start at Open
HOYLAKE, July 17, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat overcame a mid-round wobble to shoot an opening round of even par 72 as the British Open got underway on Thursday.
After starting his campaign at a sun-kissed Royal Liverpool with early birdies on three and five, the reigning Asian Tour number one stumbled with two double bogeys on seven and nine after hitting some poor chips.
But birdies on 13 and 16 ensured he stayed well within reach of the early pacesetters in the year's third major championship.
"I wasn't striking the ball well, struggling around the greens. Hit two bad chips and made two doubles on the front nine. But overall, I'm happy with the way I'm playing," the burly Thai told the Asian Tour.
He conceded he should have taken more advantage of the benign conditions which greeted the morning starters.
"I didn't expect the conditions would be this quiet. We were lucky in the morning but I didn't take advantage of it," said Kiradech, who missed the cut in his Open debut last season.
"After playing three rounds here in practice, I think know the course a bit better now. But I still need to find the game to score," he added.
India's Anirban Lahiir, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, struggled to make any headway after missing half the fairways with some wayward tee shots.
He traded three birdies against four bogeys and one double bogey in what is his second Open start.
"I struggled. Honestly, I was nowhere near where I should be with my game. It would have been nice if I could make a few more putts from inside 10 or 15 feet. It just didn't fall for me today," said the 27-year-old.
"It was ideal conditions and I have no excuses. I played pretty poorly especially on holes where there were lots of opportunities."
After cutting short his honeymoon in Madagascar to prepare for the Open, Lahiri does not want to disappoint his fans back home and vowed to bounce back in Friday's second round.
"Everyone is really excited. I had a great Open two years ago (where he finished tied 31st at Royal Lytham and St Annes) and everyone back home is cheering me on," he said.
"Hopefully I can come out tomorrow and give them something to cheer about. I would like to play well for them," said Lahiri, who has posted one victory and three top-10s on the Asian Tour this season.
"I have to play my best golf tomorrow. I know that. I missed a lot of shots to the right and didn't find enough fairways. The frustration got the better of me coming in and I've got to be careful with that.
"I've got to come out tomorrow with more confidence and more positivity. It was quite disappointing as the conditions were good. I just hit a few destructive shots and didn't find enough fairways. Not what I was looking for obviously."
Putter Saves Thongchai at Open
HOYLAKE, July 17, 2014 (AFP) - A hot putter kept Thai star Thongchai Jaidee in damage control mode as he scrambled to an even par 72 in the first round of The Open Championship on Thursday.
The triple Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, who has won once and finished top-five in his last five tournaments in Europe, missed nine greens in regulation at Royal Liverpool but escaped thanks to a wonderful short game display.
The world number 34 grinded out 16 pars with one birdie offsetting a lone bogey as he ended the day six shots behind first round leader Rory McIlroy.
"I had to be patient. I tried to hit fairways and greens and made only one birdie and one bogey. It was solid," he said.
"Thankfully, I was putting well. When I missed the green, I always missed it on the good side, and I could chip and putt for pars. The game was on and off as I was trying to press a bit."
Thongchai lamented his cold iron play, saying he had missed an opportunity to get to red figures on a day when conditions were relatively mild for an Open Championship.
"The course is not very difficult, the winds weren't too strong. It's good weather for The Open. It was a perfect day. It wasn't too windy but the pins were a bit difficult," he said.
"I hit a couple of bad irons, especially on the par fives. I missed a five iron shot by 40 yards which was a bad miss. You have the three par fives on the back nine and you should make birdies there."
Collated first round scores in the the 143rd British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on Thursday (par 72):
66 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)
67 - Matteo Manassero (ITA)
68 - Francesco Molinari (ITA), Brooks Koepka (USA), Adam Scott (AUS), Jim Furyk
(USA), Shane Lowry (IRL), Sergio Garcia (ESP), Edoardo Molinari (ITA)
69 - Koumei Oda (JPN), Hideki Matsuyama (JPN), Tiger Woods (USA), Yoshinobu
Tsukada (JPN), Robert Karlsson (SWE), Marc Leishman (AUS), Boo Weekley (USA),
Jimmy Walker (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA)
70 - Jason Dufner (USA), Mikko Ilonen (FIN), Kristoffer Broberg (SWE), David Hearn (CAN), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Ashley Chesters (ENG), George Coetzee (RSA), Hiroshi Iwata (JPN), Bill Haas (USA), Stephen Gallacher (SCO), Thomas Bjorn (DEN), Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP), Fredrik Jacobson (SWE), Ryan Moore (USA)
71 - Chris Kirk (USA), Zach Johnson (USA), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Erik Compton (USA), John Senden (AUS), Branden Grace (RSA), Stewart Cink (USA), Graham Delaet (CAN), Matthew Jones (AUS), Hunter Mahan (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Ben Martin (USA), Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA), Marc Warren (SCO), Lee Westwood (ENG), Jordan Spieth (USA)
72 - Nick Watney (USA), An Byeong-Hun (KOR), Rhein Gibson (AUS), Oliver Fisher (ENG), Thongchai Jaidee (THA), Justin Rose (ENG), Yusaku Miyazato (JPN), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT), Henrik Stenson (SWE), David Howell (ENG), Brian Harman (USA), Darren Clarke (NIR), Harris English (USA), Kevin Streelman (USA), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), K J Choi (KOR), Kim Hyung-sung (KOR)
73 - Rhys Enoch (WAL), Martin Kaymer (GER), David Duval (USA), Billy Horschel (USA), Shawn Stefani (USA), Tom Watson (USA), Matt Kuchar (USA), Chris Rodgers (ENG), Oscar Floren (SWE), Jason Day (AUS), Keegan Bradley (USA), Billy Hurley III (USA), Kevin Stadler (USA), Brendon Todd (USA), Ian Poulter (ENG), Luke Donald (ENG), James Mcleary (SCO), Richard Sterne (RSA)
74 - Charley Hoffman (USA), Ross Fisher (ENG), Ryan Palmer (USA), Danny Willett (ENG), Ben Curtis (USA), Justin Leonard (USA), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Roberto Castro (USA), Victor Riu (FRA), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (ESP), Ryo Ishikawa (JPN), Phil Mickelson (USA), Victor Dubuisson (FRA), Paul Casey (ENG), Brendan Steele (USA), J.B. Holmes (USA), Pan Cheng-tsung (CHN), Brandt Snedeker (USA), Padraig Harrington (IRL), Cameron Tringale (USA)
75 - Scott Stallings (USA), Wu Ashun (CHN), Gary Woodland (USA), Pablo Larrazabal (ESP), Paul Dunne (IRL), Russell Henley (USA), Michael Hoey (NIR), Anirban Lahiri (IND), Y.E. Yang (KOR), Chris Wood (ENG), Jonas Blixt (SWE), Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), Brett Rumford (AUS), D.A. Points (USA), Matthew Every (USA), Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN), Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP), Kim Hyung-tae (KOR), Gregory Bourdy (FRA)
76 - Nick Faldo (ENG), Tomohiro Kondo (JPN), Matthew Baldwin (ENG), Bubba Watson (USA), Angel Cabrera (ARG), Webb Simpson (USA), Paul McKechnie (SCO), Kevin Na (USA), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), George McNeill (USA)
77 - John Daly (USA), Peter Uihlein (USA), Justin Walters (RSA), Todd Hamilton (USA), Scott Jamieson (SCO), Jeong Jin (KOR)
78 - Brendon De Jonge (ZIM), John Singleton (ENG), Jang Dong-kyu (KOR), Patrick Reed (USA), Masanori Kobayashi (JPN)
79 - Chris Stroud (USA), Mark Wiebe (USA), Ernie Els (RSA), Paul Lawrie (SCO), Jamie Donaldson (WAL), Chesson Hadley (USA), Bradley Neil (SCO)
80 - Matthew Southgate (ENG)
81 - Joost Luiten (NED), Chris Hanson (ENG)
82 - Sandy Lyle (SCO)
90 - Bryden Macpherson (AUS)