Karlsson sets the early pace
Robert Karlsson carded a three-under-par 69 to claim the early clubhouse lead at the 143rd Open Championship.
The 44-year-old Swede was in the first group that teed off at the crack of dawn and although his lead is unlikely to last long, he’d be pleased with his effort nonetheless.
After turning at one-over, Karlsson carded birdies at 10, 12, 15 and 16 to reach three-under.
“In the beginning I didn’t hit it great and it was a bit tricky on the front nine, I thought,” said the Swede.
“Then I hit some good shots on the back nine, and I also chipped in once, which got the round going, and the three par fives means there’s going to be some good scoring on the back nine.”
Several other high-profile players remain on the course in what are ideal scoring conditions at Royal Liverpool.
Tiger Woods has made a circumspect start to his tournament and was one-over on the front nine, but the likes of Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia were made strong starts to their tournaments.
McIlroy almost holed his second at the second and after recording three birdies in his first six holes, joined Karlsson, Garcia, Italy’s Matteo Manassero, Americans Jim Furyk and Rickie Fowler on three-under.
Latest
-
NewsJoy, relief as golf courses in England given green light to reopen from December 2
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the good news on Monday.
-
NewsJoachim B Hansen makes up for Italian Open disappointment with Joburg victory
The Dane withdrew from the final round in Italy after his caddie tested positive for Covid-19.
-
NewsJoachim B Hansen launches late fightback to win Joburg Open
Hansen trailed by three shots with nine holes to play but won by two strokes.
-
NewsMatt Wallace shrugs off loss of caddie to Covid-19 to grab share of RSM Classic lead
Wallace’s regular caddie, Dave McNeilly, tested positive for Covid but a local caddie was ready to step in.
-
NewsWilco Nienaber admits ‘it’s great to be home’ after strong first round
The South African fired an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys in an opening eight-under-par 63.
-
NewsFrom The Horse’s Mouth Podcast: Shane Lowry on Masters experience, playing with Tiger
Open champion Shane Lowry spills the beans on his Masters experience and playing three rounds with Tiger Woods.
-
NewsPetition to exempt golf from lockdown set for Parliamentary debate next week
The document has received more than 257,000 signatures.
-
NewsThe Most Memorable Hole-in-ones in History
Statisticians pitch the probability for a golf pro making a hole-in-one at around 1 in 2,500.
-
NewsThe winners and losers after strange season of majors
Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa and Bryson DeChambeau claimed the three major titles on offer this year.
-
NewsNew Masters champion Dustin Johnson eager to cram in as much success as he can
Johnson wants 10 more years to win as much as he can before retiring.