American Kevin Kisner’s five under 66 in the opening round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie was posted before lunch, and stood the test of time.
His eagle, four birdies, and a bogey in near perfect conditions was rarely in danger.
Tony Finau looked the most likely with eight birdies in his round, but the four bogeys cut his bid one short among some superb golf in patches.
Australian Marc Leishman also threatened when he was four under through eight, but he bogeyed nine, double bogeyed 10, and bogeyed 11 on his way to a 72.
A similar story for defending champion Jordan Spieth who was three under through 11, but carded a double and two bogeys in his last four holes.
The two-time US Open champion Brooks Koepka had a roller coaster round when he dropped six shots in five holes going out, but came home with a string of birdies for a 72.
The course was difficult.
Carnoustie was like the Sahara Desert with brutal fairway bunkers that looked more like deep rounded sink holes.
It was a rare case of the fairways being faster than the greens.
The best example was Hideki Matsuyama who drove a three-wood at the last for a massive 415 yards.
The biggest crowds followed Tiger Woods who carded three birdies and three bogeys for an even par 71.
He wore black tape at the back of his neck after waking up with a stiff neck which didn’t appear to trouble him during his five hours on duty.
It will be interesting to see how Woods goes early in the second round when the conditions are likely to be easier.
The same applies to world number one Dustin Johnson, Masters champion Patrick Reed, and former Masters champion Sergio Garcia.
Johnson carded one bogey going out, but finished with a triple at the last for a 76.
Reed started badly with a double at the second, and did it tough all day on his way to a 75, while Garcia was consistent with three bogeys and a birdie going out, and the same coming home for his 75.
Of the Australian contingent, Jason Day and Adam Scott were the best on 71, and should benefit by earlier starts on day two.
Selected scores after the opening round:
66 – Kevin Kisner.
67 – Tony Finau, Erik van Rooyen, Zander Lombard.
68 – Ryan Moore.
69 – Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm. Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas.
70 – Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson, Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar, Francesco Molinari, Kevin Na.
71 – Jason Day, Adam Scott, Tiger Woods, Si Woo Kim, Xander Schauffele, Marin Kaymer.
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