Kevin Kisner leads at Carnoustie

Kevin Kisner topped the leaderboard after the opening round of The 147th Open Championship on Thursday.
The American was one of the early finishers around a firm Carnoustie Golf Club, signing for a five under 66 for one stroke lead ahead of South African pair Erik van Rooyen and Zander Lombard, while Tony Finau impressed with a 67 as well.
Kisner showed the consistency needed on a course where the firm fairways saw many a teeshot roll into bunkers. After opening with a string of pars, Kisner dropped his only shot on the fifth but a booming drive and an accurate second shot on the par five sixth lead to an eagle.
More superb iron play produced three more gains before he arrived at the closing three holes, rated the most difficult closing stretch of any course on the Open rota.
Indeed, Kisner was in trouble on the 17th but saved par with brilliant 18 foot putt, then got up and down on the last to stay in front.
“The golf course is great for me,” said the world number 33 after the round.
“The conditions have been fine. Going forward, you never know what you’re going to have in Scotland.
“I know the rain is coming in tomorrow. I don’t think the rain is going to affect how the golf course is playing in one day, but I have to just keep doing what I’m doing. If I have 22 putts the next three days, I bet I’ll have a pretty good shot.
“I think I only hit four drivers all day, maybe five. I just want the ball on the fairway because it’s not an overly long golf course. Maybe five iron was the longest. I hit a hybrid into 12. You’re not going to have that many long clubs into the hole.
“If I can keep it on the fairway, I feel like I can control my golf ball around the green. The greens are calm, and around the greens are flat. I feel like any time I’m around the green I’m going to make four or par at the worst. So that’s been my game plan.”
⏱️ ROUND IN 60 SECONDS ⏱️
2017 Champion Golfer of the Year @JordanSpieth carded a +1 72 in the first round at Carnoustie ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/HMMJuSwe0J
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2018
Rory McIlroy endured a checkered round but will be content with his two under 69, tied with favourites Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas. One shot behind them is Rickie Fowler who birdied the 18th to get into red figures.
Defending champion Jordan Spieth struggled with irons and would sign for a one over 72. The American was three under when he stepped on the 15th tee, but double bogeyed that and dropped shots on the 16th and the last to fall behind.
Former world number one Tiger Woods, playing in his first Open since missing the cut in 2015, rolled in three birdies but carded three bogeys for a even par 71, five off the pace.
Welcome back @TigerWoods #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/a9k2LKXoCk
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2018
Latest
-
PGA Tour
It’s been a battle – Rory McIlroy delighted to pip rival Patrick Reed in Dubai
The Northern Irishman birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish a shot ahead of Reed on 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy holds off rival Patrick Reed with birdie on 18 to seal Dubai win
McIlroy birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy leads by three in bid to win his third Dubai Desert Classic title
England’s Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury are McIlroy’s closest challengers heading into the final round.
-
LPGA Tour
Golf bid to increase diversity in sport improving but still has ‘long way to go’
Nicola Bennett is an ambassador for the Golf Foundation, helping to drive grassroots campaigns.
-
PGA Tour
Richard Bland boasts share of lead at halfway stage in Dubai Desert Classic
The 49-year-old returned to complete his second round on Saturday morning, carding three more birdies and a solitary bogey in his remaining 14 holes.
-
News
On this day in 2009 – Colin Montgomerie appointed Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Scot made eight playing appearances in the competition.
-
News
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed set up potential showdown in Dubai
McIlroy and Reed found themselves a shot behind world number one amateur Ludvig Aberg and Ian Poulter.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy finishes superbly to take share of lead with rival Patrick Reed
The pre-tournament build-up had been dominated by the war of words between Reed and McIlroy.
-
PGA Tour
Patrick Reed makes impressive start after floods cause delay in Dubai
Reed was able to complete 16 holes on a truncated day at Emirates Golf Club.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Aaron Rai shares lead after first round of Farmers Insurance Open
The 27-year-old started on the more forgiving North Course of Torrey Pines.