Jordan Spieth fired a bogey-free 5-under 65 in the opening-round of the British Open and headlines a trio of Americans atop the leaderboard at Royal Birkdale.
The two-time major champion struggled off the tee, hitting just five of 14 fairways (35.7%, T109), but the Dallas native made up for it going after the greens (15 of 18, 86%, T1).
U.S. Open winner, Brooks Koepka, was also at 5-under, as was Matt Kuchar.
Kopeka, who played two groups behind Spieth, was at 4-under until he dropped a shot with a bogey on the par-4 16th. The 27-year-old recovered nicely, however, with one of the shots of the day: a chip-in eagle on the par-5 17th.
Kuchar’s card was also clean, with all five of his birdies coming on the front-nine.
One off the lead, and tied for fourth at 4-under, is Englishman Paul Casey, and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa.
A group of six players are tied for sixth at 3-under, led by England’s Ian Poulter, Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who captured last week’s Scottish Open, and Justin Thomas.
Now onto the best shots of the day.
Beef Birdies
Andrew Beef Johnston chips in for a birdie on the par-4 sixth hole. ‘Beef’ finished his round at 1-under-par (T26).
First BEEEEEF of the day @beefgolf #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/U7yE4ApxD0
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2017
Hoffman Holes-Out
Charley Hoffman got off to a fantastic start with a hole-out for eagle on the opening hole. Hoffman finished the day at 3-under, and is tied for sixth.
Great start! @hoffman_charley holes an eagle on the first. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/mXGgIvUwYb
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2017
Brooks From The Bunker
Coming off a bogey on the 16th, Koepka dropped to -3, and two behind Spieth. But Koepka bounced back terrifically with a bunker hole-out for eagle on 17 to grab a share of the first round lead.
Great work! @bkoepka holes a bunker shot to move in to a share of the lead. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/cv8UGVpRFD
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2017
Credit: Getty Images, The Open Championship Communications
