American Kisner Takes Clubhouse Lead At British Open

American Kevin Kisner birdied three successive holes on the inward nine to card a five-under-par 66 and take the clubhouse lead at the British Open on Thursday.

Carnoustie, United Kingdom, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jul, 2018 ) :American Kevin Kisner birdied three successive holes on the inward nine to card a five-under-par 66 and take the clubhouse lead at the British Open on Thursday.

The 34-year-old -- a two-time winner on the PGA Tour -- had got his first round on track after a bogey on the fifth with an eagle on the historic sixth, a hole known as 'Hogan's Alley'.

Kisner displaced South Africa's Erik van Rooyen at the top of the leaderboard.

Van Rooyen -- who went out in the second group of the day -- had put down an early marker with a 67.

On a perfect summer's morning on Scotland's east coast, he had five birdies, including at the opening two holes, and was on course for a flawless first round until he dropped a shot at the difficult 18th.

The 28-year-old, who qualified for his first British Open by coming second at the Joburg Open late last year, was two shots ahead of English duo Danny Willett and Matthew Southgate.

Willett, the 2016 Masters champion who missed the cut at this year's Masters and US Open, was enjoying a fine round, featuring three straight birdies from the fourth.

However, he dropped shots at the 17th and the 18th for a 69. Southgate's round featured two eagles, two birdies and four bogeys.

Meanwhile, reigning Open champion Jordan Spieth -- who took some time off prior to his defence of the Claret Jug -- was at three-under after 12.

Playing partner Justin Rose, bidding to become the first Englishman to win the event since Nick Faldo in 1992, was level par but had angry words for photographers after missing a birdie putt on the sixth believing they had taken their pictures too early.

"That was out of order," said the 37-year-old.