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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9:45 a.m.
Jordan Spieth has picked up where he left off at the U.S. Open.
With his eyes on the Grand Slam, the 21-year-old Texan rolled in an 8-footer birdie at the very first hole of the British Open on Thursday.
Spieth already won the first two majors of the year and is trying to become the first modern player to sweep golf’s biggest events in a calendar year.
He’s not the only one going low at the Old Course on a morning with prime scoring conditions.
Sweden’s David Lingmerth matched the nine-hole St. Andrews scoring record with a 7-under 29 on the front side. The return leg is playing tougher, and Lingmerth made his first bogey of the round at the par-3 11th. He failed to get up-and-down after hitting his tee shot into a pot punker in front of the green.
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9:30 a.m.
Sweden’s David Lingmerth has matched the nine-hole St. Andrews scoring record with a 7-under 29 in the opening round.
On a morning for going low at the British Open, Lingmerth birdied the first four holes Thursday before settling for a par at the par-5 fifth. He added two more birdies at the sixth and seventh holes, then closed the front side with a 15-foot birdie at the ninth.
Lingmerth tied the Open record for the lowest nine-hole score on the Old Course, set by Tony Jacklin in 1970.
Denis Durnian still holds the mark for the lowest nine-hole score at any Open, shooting a 28 at Royal Birkdale in 1983.
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9:05 a.m.
David Lingmerth is ripping up the Old Course early in the first round of the British Open.
Taking advantage of prime scoring conditions, the 27-year-old Swede birdied the first four holes before finally taking a par at the par-5 fifth. He followed with two more birdies and is approaching the turn at 6 under.
If Lingmerth keeps up his strong play, he has a shot at the major scoring record of 63. He’s trying to add to his first PGA Tour victory, having won the Memorial back in early June.
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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 temperatures 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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