ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — The Latest from the 144th British Open, being held on the Old Course at St. Andrews (all times local):
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7:30 a.m.
It’s a morning for going low at the British Open.
Irish amateur Paul Dunne birdied the first two holes early Thursday. So did David Lingmerth of Sweden.
With temperatues in the mid-50s and little wind to speak of on a cloudy morning along St. Andrews Bay, the early starters should be able to put up some impressive scores.
That includes the favorite, Jordan Spieth, who is trying to take another step toward the Grand Slam.
Spieth tees off at 9:33 a.m., having already won the Masters and the U.S. Open.
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7 a.m.
With all eyes on Jordan Spieth’s quest for the Grand Slam, the British Open is underway on a cool, partly cloudy morning at the Old Course.
Englishman Greg Owen, playing in the first group, rolled in the first birdie of the tournament at No. 1 early Thursday. He was joined by Australian Rod Pampling and Irish amateur Paul Dunne, who both started with pars.
The bigger names will tee off later. Spieth, who already won the Masters and the U.S. Open, is scheduled to tee off at 9:33 a.m. in a group with fellow American Dustin Johnson and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
Spieth won the second leg of the Grand Slam last month at Chambers Bay, taking the title when Johnson three-putted for 12 feet at the 72nd hole. No player had won the modern version of the Slam, which also includes the PGA Championship.
Spieth doesn’t have to worry about his chief rival. Defending champion Rory McIlroy is sitting out the British Open after injuring his ankle playing soccer with friends. Tiger Woods is another player who would’ve been considered a top contender, having won twice at St. Andrews. But he’s mired in a terrible slump and has slipped to No. 241 in the world rankings.
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