The final major of the year began with a run at the 152nd Open Championship, and English major debutant Daniel Brown became the shock leader overnight after the first round, with Shane Lowry just one behind in pursuit of a second Open title.
Brown was one of the last players to finish late Thursday evening, adding a birdie on the 18th for a stunning round of 65 and pipping Lowry into the clubhouse.
American Justin Thomas Set the early benchmark with a three-under par round of 68 on a wet and wind-battered Scottish coast. But Rory McIlroy had a dream day shooting 78, seven over par, and will need a miracle round this afternoon to make it to the weekend. Tiger Woods also cut a frustrated figure as he worked his way to an eight-over-par 79.
Follow live coverage of the 152nd Open Championship below:
The Open 2024: Latest Leaderboard
The first couple of players were off course and in Canada Corey Connors 1st place to go to -1 for the championship. But here’s what the top of the leaderboard looks like with each player’s round two tee-off times
- Daniel Brown (ENG) – 11.04 am -6
- Shane Lowry (IRE) – 9.47am -5
- Justin Thomas (USA) – 12.53 p.m -3
- Xander Schauffele (USA) – 9.52 am -2
- Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) – 10.20am -2
- Joe Dean (ENG) – 10.31am -2
- Alex Noran (SWE) – 11.47am -2
- Nicolai Hojgaard (DEN) – 12.31 p.m -2
- Justin Rose (ENG) – 12.42pm -2,
- Russell Henley (USA) – 2.26 p.m -2
Luke Baker19 July 2024 07:33
Tiger Woods frustrated by tough day at Troon
Tiger Woods cut a frustrated figure as he toiled for an 8-over-par 79 in the first round of the Open at Royal Troon on Thursday.
The 15-time major winner rolled the years when he holed a long putt for a birdie at the third, but fell badly in a round that included six bogeys and two doubles.
The 48-year-old’s efforts were partly overshadowed by comments from TV commentator Mark Rowe about his fitness during his struggles at the Ayrshire links.
Woods’ struggles since a serious car accident three years ago, as well as multiple back and knee surgeries, have been well-documented, and he now plays a limited schedule.
Roe, a former European Tour specialist, told the international television feed of the ‘special teams’ overseen by R&A organisers: “You look at the eyes and you have to think that a lot of painkillers are being taken to deal with the pain. It’s not easy.
Woods was not asked about the matter as he took just four questions after his round, but has previously spoken about his issues, revealing he felt “constant” pain in his right leg at the 2023 Masters.
He also admitted to seeking professional help to manage drug problems in the past.
![Tiger Woods had a disappointing first day at the Open (Zach Goodwin/PA).](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/18/21/08ec90f3278cad20d9663931a449894eY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzIxNDE4MDUx-2.76883922.jpg)
Lawrence Astler19 July 2024 06:58
Justin Thomas is heading in the ‘right direction’ after Open start
Justin Thomas, who made “bonehead mistakes” a year after pulling out of the Open, is happy with his game after shooting a three-under 68 to take an early lead at Royal Troon.
Having missed the cut by eight shots at Hoylake 12 months ago, the American is worried about his Ryder Cup place – although he will receive a captain’s choice – as he has struggled to find any form.
While he’s gotten things going this year with five top-10 finishes, including an eighth-place finish at last month’s US Open, he hasn’t lost a weekend at either the Masters or the US PGA.
Lawrence Astler19 Jul 2024 06:45
Paul McKinley believes John Rahm is looking for a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McKinley believes an unhappy Jon Rahm is eyeing a deal between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour to revive his game.
Rahm has finished in the top 10 in the nine LIV events he’s played since breaking away from Saudi sponsorship, but his performances at majors this year have been disappointing.
The Ryder Cup star was 45th in defense of his Masters title and missed the cut at the US PGA Championship before pulling out of the US Open – which he will win in 2021 – due to a toe injury.
Mike Jones19 July 2024 06:30
Matt Wallace shared the lead at the start of day one for his first eagle of the Open with a 152nd
England’s Matt Wallace carded his first eagle of the 152nd Open Championship to take the lead at Royal Troon.
The 34-year-old had to make the final qualifying round last year, but after finishing 20th in the DB World Tour rankings this summer, there are no worries.
He got off to a great start, and after a birdie at the second, he holed out of the semi-rough on the 612-yard fourth to jump to three under and take the lead with American two-time major winner Justin Thomas, who, after birdies seven and eight, missed the cut last year.
Mike Jones19 Jul 2024 06:25
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau at the wrong end of the Open leaderboard on Day One
A month after McIlroy’s horror finish at Pinehurst helped DeChambeau claim a second US Open title, the pair face an uphill battle to win the year’s final at Royal Troon.
McIlroy was even par after seven holes of his opening round before running up to a double bogey at the signature par-three eighth, getting back to his feet to escape the Northern Irishman’s first attempt at a bunker at the post.
Mike Jones19 Jul 2024 06:15
The Open 2024 tee times: Schedule for second round including Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods
Scotty Scheffler is featured in the All-American Three Ball along with Jordan Spieth and Cameron Young. Here are the tee times for the second round on the Ayrshire course:
Lawrence Astler19 Jul 2024 06:05
Daniel Brown took a shock lead in the Open
Daniel Brown is the Open shock leader after one round with Shane Lowry in pursuit of a second Open title.
Lawrence Astler19 Jul 2024 06:02
good morning!
Welcome of freedom Coverage of The Open Championship. The second round soon follows with Evan Ferguson (SCO) and Marcel Siem (Ger) kicking off at 6.35am.
First let’s look at the big stories from yesterday’s action.
Mike Jones19 July 2024 06:00
Rory McIlroy, not quite acclimatised to the conditions, takes the open lead
After struggling to an opening 78 at Royal Troon, a subdued Rory McIlroy effectively snubbed his chances of mounting a 152nd Open challenge.
McIlroy was even par after seven holes, running up to double bogey at the signature par-three eighth, the Northern Irishman’s first attempt to escape the bunker on the postage stamp back to his feet.
With the back nine played downwind, McIlroy was hoping to repair the damage, driving another double-bogey out of bounds on the 11th to eventually finish seven over 10 shots behind clubhouse leader Justin Thomas.
Mike Jones18 Jul 2024 06:20