Kisner Leads British Open As Spieth Starts Title Defence With A Splutter

Carnoustie, United Kingdom, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jul, 2018 ) :Kevin Kisner of the United States led the way at the British Open on Thursday as his friend Jordan Spieth's defence of the Claret Jug got off to an inauspicious start at Carnoustie.

Kisner went out in one of the first groups just before 8am (0700 GMT) and had an eagle and four birdies in his five-under-par round of 66 on a perfect summer's day on Scotland's east coast.

"The golf course is great for me," said the 34-year-old, who led going into the final round of last year's PGA Championship before dropping away to finish tied for seventh.

"Going forward, you never know what you're going to have in Scotland. I know the rain is coming in tomorrow," added Kisner, who is sharing a house with Spieth and several other US stars this week.

"I don't think the rain is going to affect how the golf course is playing in one day, but I have to just keep doing what I'm doing." Americans have won the last five majors and will take some beating this week, with a resurgent Tiger Woods and Spieth among those hoping to be in contention.

However, while Woods was a late starter on Thursday, not teeing off until mid-afternoon, a poor end to his first round saw Spieth finish the day one-over after a 72.

He went to the 15th tee three-under, only to drop three shots on the next two holes. He then drove into the Barry Burn on the 18th, and ended with another bogey.

"It felt like a missed opportunity. I felt like I was really going well," said the Texan, who hopes that a turn for the worse in the weather forecast for Friday will spark an upturn in his fortunes.

"I think I'm certainly in a recoverable situation. I mean, I imagine this is as easy as the course could play." Trailing Kisner by one shot in the clubhouse are his compatriot Tony Finau and South African duo Zander Lombard and Erik van Rooyen, with the latter taking advantage of the ideal summer weather on his Open debut.

Van Rooyen went out in the second group of the day at 6:46am and shot 67, the only flaw on his scorecard coming with a bogey at the last, the hole that was the scene of Frenchman Jean Van de Velde's infamous final-day meltdown in 1999.

"It was playing as easy as it was going to play this whole week this morning, no wind at all. So you had to go out and take advantage of it," said Van Rooyen, whose compatriot Brandon Stone joined American pair Ryan Moore and Brendan Steele in shooting a three-under 68.