The Open Championship 2016 - Day 1 Report

Post by Sports Writer, Derek Clements

PHIL MICKELSON led an astonishing day for the Stars and Stripes in the first round of The Open Championship at Royal Troon when he equalled the lowest score ever recorded in a major. The 2013 champion took full advantage of benign conditions on the Ayrshire coast to reduce the course to 63 blows, with birdies at the second, fourth, sixth and eighth taking him to the turn in 32. While many of his rivals struggled on Troon's more challenging back nine, the left-hander picked up further shots at the 10th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes.

He came within a whisker of a 62, his putt at the last looking like it was in all the way before lipping out. "It was right in the centre with a foot to go," Mickelson said. "I don't know how that ball missed."

Mickelson's round should come as a surprise to nobody as he has played some sublime golf in 2016 without managing to win a tournament. He is hitting the ball straighter than he has done for years and has put himself in a great position to collect his second Claret Jug, especially with the weathermen forecasting some wild and windy weather over the rest of the week.

Mickelson came within a whisker of histroy at Royal Troon on Thursday

The left-hander wasn't the only American to make the most of the conditions. Patrick Reed, whose game appears to be made for links golf, shot a 66 that featured an eagle two at the third, where he holed his approach, and birdies at the fourth, sixth, seventh, 12th and 18th. He dropped his only shots of the day at the 10th and 13th. Reed drove the ball really well and hit a series of spectacular iron shots, and will fancy his chances of winning on Sunday. Reed is a genuine shotmaker and won't mind if the wind starts to blow.

“I love links golf," Reed said. "To watch somebody hit an iron 320 or 330 yards, yet the ball is only flying 240, 230 and just watching it run, it just showed that it would probably be a pretty cool, pretty fun place to be able to do different things. I think the key is just to have fun with it.”

Reed was joined by Martin Kaymer, who is the leading European. "I played very well," said the German. "Any round where you don't make a bogey is good. I have been putting well and continued that today - I am focused on keeping my head steady."

There were 67s from the defending champion Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, big-hitting Tony Finau, the veteran American Steve Stricker, Billy Horschell and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen. And they were joined by Andy Sullivan, the jovial Englishman looking to secure his place in the European Ryder Cup team. Justin Rose led the group on 68 that also included Bill Haas and Henrik Stenson.

Rory McIlroy had his struggles but still managed to shoot a 69 - that was despite a double-bogey at the 13th and a bogey at the 14th.  He was joined on that mark by Rickie Fowler, whom many people fancy to win.

McIlroy opened with a solid 2 under par 69

Jason Day, the world No1, had a rare off day. He struggled with his iron play and shot 73. He played Troon’s easy opening seven holes in one under, but made three bogeys and no birdies the rest of the way, hitting  just 10 of 18 greens in regulation.

“I was missing it both ways,” said Day. “I think it’s more of a mental issue with not trusting the swing as much.”

Jordan Spieth required 33 putts in a round of 71, setting the tone for his round by missing short birdie putts at the first and second holes. "If that’s what’s off, that’s a lot better than anything else because I can get that back on,” he said. He was 2 under par after six holes, but dropped shots at the ninth and 11th. He birdied the 17th but finished his round with another dropped shot.

Dustin Johnson, the US Open champion, was another who could only manage a 71, and will know he missed a great chance.

Image Credit: Kevin Diss - www.Kevindiss.com