The 151st Open Championship leaderboard
-5: T. Fleetwood (ENG), C. Lamprecht (SA)*, E. Grillo (ARG)
-4: A. Rozner (FRA), A. Otaegui (SPA), B. Harman (US)
Selected:
-3: W. Clark (US)
-2: M. Jordan (ENG), J. Spieth (US)
-1: S. Scheffler (US), R. Bland (ENG)
Level: R. McIlroy (NI), T. Hatton (ENG)
+1: C. Smith (AUS)
+3: R. MacIntyre (SCO), O. Farr (WAL), J. Rahm (SPA), J. Rose (ENG)
Full leaderboard
Tommy Fleetwood Leads the Way at The Open
Tommy Fleetwood made an impressive start at Royal Liverpool, raising hopes for English golf fans longing for a homegrown champion at The Open. His superb opening round of five-under-par 66 put him in a joint lead with South African amateur Christo Lamprecht and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo.
They hold a one-shot advantage over Antoine Rozner from France, Adrian Otaegui from Spain, and Brian Harman from the United States.
Rory McIlroy Battles on Day One
World number two Rory McIlroy, representing Northern Ireland, had a mixed round, with three birdies and three bogeys, resulting in a battling score of 71. Although he faced challenges, including the wind picking up in the afternoon, McIlroy managed to stay at level par, finishing three shots better than his playing partners Jon Rahm and Justin Rose.
English Hopes Ride on Fleetwood
The last time an Englishman won The Open was Nick Faldo in 1992. Since then, no English player has claimed the prestigious title on home soil. This fact made Tommy Fleetwood’s impressive performance even more significant, leaving fans ecstatic. Fleetwood’s three consecutive birdies from the 14th hole and a solid par putt on the 18th gave them hope for an English victory.
Fleetwood, born in Southport just 30 miles away from Royal Liverpool, has come close to winning a major before, finishing second in 2019 and joint fourth last year. With his outstanding back-nine score of 32, he attracted the largest following among the early starters.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to play so close to home, and I’m glad I provided some exciting golf for the spectators,” Fleetwood expressed his gratitude. “The fans were amazing and gave me tremendous support.”
McIlroy’s Solid Start
McIlroy began his round on a positive note, birdieing the second hole. However, as conditions grew challenging, he faced bogeys on the fourth, eighth, and 12th holes. Nevertheless, a 41-foot birdie putt on the 14th and another birdie on the par-five 15th brought him back to level par. Despite a scrambling par on the last hole, escaping a greenside bunker, McIlroy finished the day at an admirable even par.
“It was a tricky day out there,” McIlroy commented. “The wind picked up, and it was difficult to get close to some pins. Even par is a solid start.”
Surprises on the 18th Hole
While much attention was given to the challenging par-three 17th hole with its unique saucer-shaped green and penal bunkers, it was the par-five 18th hole that delivered the most unpredictable scores. The range of scores varied from an eagle three to a disastrous quintuple-bogey 10.
Notable players such as Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, and Justin Thomas encountered difficulties on the 18th. Fowler and Mickelson both recorded an eight on the hole, while Thomas finished with a nine, resulting in a total score of 11-over.
Amidst the surprises, Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho stood out with a birdie on the 17th, followed by a shocking 10 on the last hole. Despite being just nine yards away from the hole after two shots, he struggled in a bunker, eventually signing for a disappointing 12-over 83.
Early Delight from Jordan
Local favorite Matthew Jordan kicked off the championship with the opening tee shot, eliciting cheers from the early-morning crowd. Jordan, who had been familiar with Royal Liverpool since his childhood, delivered an impressive round, finishing at two-under 69. Overwhelmed by the experience, Jordan described it as “amazing” and couldn’t find enough words to express his feelings.
“I’m running out of words to describe it. It was crazy, loud, everything that I could have wished for,” said Jordan, who had dreamed of playing this course since he was a little boy.
Note: The information provided is based on the given text and does not reflect real-time updates on the event.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Golf championship
Who is leading The Open Championship after the first round?
Tommy Fleetwood is leading The Open Championship after the first round. He shot a superb five-under-par 66 and is tied for the lead with Christo Lamprecht and Emiliano Grillo.
How did Rory McIlroy perform in the first round?
Rory McIlroy had a battling round in the first day of The Open Championship. He finished with a score of 71, with three birdies and three bogeys. He ended the round at level par.
What is the status of English players in The Open Championship?
Tommy Fleetwood’s impressive performance puts him in contention as a leading English player at The Open Championship. Other notable English players include Matthew Jordan, who finished with a two-under 69, and Justin Rose, who finished at three over par.
Which hole presented the most surprises during the first round?
The par-five 18th hole had the biggest spread of scores during the first round. Players experienced a range of results, from an eagle three to a quintuple-bogey 10. Several notable players, including Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson, encountered difficulties on this hole.
More about Golf championship
- The Open Championship Official Website
- Royal Liverpool Golf Club
- Tommy Fleetwood – Official PGA Tour Profile
- Rory McIlroy – Official PGA Tour Profile
