Rory Mcilroy Shoots 63 To Lead Open Championship.
Thursday, 15th July, 2010
McIlroy leads by three with Championship record
Rory McIlroy leads The Open by three shots from 1995 Champion John Daly and Scottish former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart. A shot further back, with completed five under-par rounds are Tiger Woods, Marcel Siem of Germany, former US Open champion Lucas Glover and fellow Americans Sean O’Hare and Nick Watney.
In flat calm conditions, with greens softened by yesterday’s relentless rain, McIlroy opened with a 63.
When told that it was the lowest first round in the history of the Championship, McIlroy added a cautionary “so far”, pointing out that there are a lot of players still to tackle the Old Course. “We needed to take advantage of the conditions out there this morning,” he said. Woods commented: “I haven’t seen a major like this before when you’ve got to be five under to be in the top 10.”
The later starters may not be so lucky. The wind is just beginning to stir the flags and more rain is forecast.
McIlroy lit up his round with an eagle two at the 352-yard ninth and followed with five birdies in the next six holes. He missed from very short range after a superb approach at the 17th, but had only a three-foot putt from behind the flag for a final birdie.
The newly-crowned Amateur Champion, Korea’s Jin Jeong, dropped two shots in a six-birdie round of 68 that will set a hot pace for the other six amateurs in the field.
It was a score matched by Ryo Ishikawa, the 18-year-old prodigy who leads the nine-man Japanese contingent at St Andrews. His only blemish was at the demanding 465-yard 13th hole.
With more than 20 nations represented in the field, young Colombian Camilo Villegas put his country’s name among the leaders with a fine 68, no dropped shots and two birdies in each half.
Strong contender for strangest round of the day must go to South African Charl Schwartzel who had a near-disastrous outward nine of 40 that included two bogeys and a double. But he was a different player on the way home — four pars and five birdies, including the first of the Championship at the lengthened 17th. He came back in 31 for a one-under round of 71
Open golf news brought to you by topdrawgolfclothing leading website in mens golf clothing andladies golf clothing
Customer Services 01787 379753
Basket at a glance
Your basket is empty.