Superb Spieth Shines On Day One Of The Open 2017

published 20 July 2017

Jordan Spieth fired a 65 to lead the Open 2017 on day one alongside fellow Americans Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar

Superb Spieth Shines On Day One Of The Open 2017

Jordan Spieth fired an early warning sign to his rivals by posting a faultless opening round of 65 at Royal Birkdale in The Open 2017.

The 23-year-old was in ominous form playing alongside current Open champion Henrik Stenson and Si Woo Kim.

After a steady start, the two-time Major champion caught fire with a birdie on eight, before picking up a further shot on nine to turn in 31.

It could have been even better for the 2015 Masters and US Open champion, who saw his eagle putt slide by on 17 and a ten footer for birdie stay up on the final hole.

Meanwhile, Ian Poulter rolled back the years as he opened up his Open Championship challenge with a classy three under-par 67 at Royal Birkdale.

The Englishman, who came through Open Qualifying to tee it up in Southport, showed signs of his old self in carding one of the lowest rounds of the morning starters.

And he was able to feed off his good memories at Birkdale where he finished runner-up to Padraig Harrington nine years ago.

Continues below

Expand The Open Championship Leaderboard 2021

The Open Championship Leaderboard 2021

Check out the latest scores from Royal St…

Expand The Open Tee Times 2017: Final Round

Jordan Spieth Matt Kuchar The Open Tee Times 2017

The Open Tee Times 2017: Final Round

Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar are in the…

Expand Open Championship Weather Forecast 2019

Open Championship Weather Forecast 2019

Wind? Rain? Sun? Check out the Open weather…

Expand Get The Look The Open 2017

Get The Look The Open 2017

We've seen plenty of eye catching apparel and…

"My last round here in 2008 I shot a 69," said Poulter. "I'm definitely playing with more confidence, I can hit more of the shots I'm visualising.

Related: Win Open Championship merchandise!

"A couple of holes I may have played it too safe, but you have to avoid those fairway bunkers."

US Open winner Brooks Koepka and fellow American Matt Kuchar also lead with Spieth at five under.

Click here to view the leaderboard.

Kuchar played the front nine in five under before nine closing pars.

Meanwhile it wasn't the day for Rory McIlroy, who faltered early.

He was five over after six holes, and could have been seven over through eight had he not made two crucial par saves.

He rallied home on the back nine with two birdies to get back to three over at the time of writing with two holes to play.

World number one Dustin Johnson was solid, although after a good start he made two bogeys to drop to one over.

Englishman Paul Casey shot a flawless four under par 66 to trail the leaders by one.

Related: How to watch the Open on BBC

Southport's own Tommy Fleetwood struggled to a six over 76, and Justin Rose came in with a one over 71.

World number 13 Justin Thomas, who was best dressed on Thursday, posted a three under 67.

Elsewhere, Welshman Stuart Manley carded a two-under par 68 to take the early lead, mastering the tough conditions as others succumbed on a brutal morning's play in Southport.

With the early starters having to endure blustery conditions and rain, the task of registering a respectable score was made significantly harder.

Manley began his Open quest with a bogey - no disaster at Birkdale's notoriously hard opener - but recovered to fire an impressive 68, which included a chip-in for eagle on the par-5 17th and a birdie at the testing final hole.

1st hole bares its teeth

They say you can't win The Open on the first day, but you can certainly lose it. Former Open champion, Mark O'Meara, would not have been expecting to lift the Claret Jug again this week, but he would have been hoping for a solid start having been given the honour of hitting the opening shot of the 146th Open Championship. After slicing his drive over the fence and of of bounds, he racked up an eight and never steadied the ship.

The 60-year-old American wasn't the only early morning starter to struggle as the wind and rain swept in, with the 1st hole causing the bulk of the damage. John Deere Classic winner, Bryson DeChambeau, took seven at the opening hole, as did amateur Maverick McNealy.

TOPICS

Michael has been with Golf Monthly since 2008. As a multimedia journalist, he has also worked for The Football Association, where he created content to support the men's European Championships, The FA Cup, London 2012, and FA Women's Super League. As content editor at Foremost Golf, Michael worked closely with golf's biggest equipment manufacturers, and has developed an in-depth knowledge of this side of the industry. He's now a regular contributor, covering instruction, equipment and feature content. Michael has interviewed many of the game's biggest stars, including six world number ones, and has attended and reported on many Major Championships and Ryder Cups. He's a member of Formby Golf Club.

Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!