2024-07-18 20:04:32
Austrian golf leader Sepp Straka (pictured) is in the upper field at the start of the 152nd British Open in Royal Troon GC, Scotland.
The 31-year-old Viennese fought through several ups and downs in gusty winds and finally recorded a round of 70 (1 under par) on the scorecard.
This means that the Olympic starter, who finished second in last year’s fourth major, is now in the top 10 and just a few strokes behind the top.
Scotland’s “midsummer” is affecting the stars
Photo: © getty
Wrapped up in a thick sweater, Straka defies the cool, damp conditions and is tied for second after nine holes with three birdies and a one-stroke loss.
On the back nine, the Viennese native came under pressure and bogeyed holes eleven and twelve. In the end, Straka made another big play, managing a birdie on the 17th and missing another stroke by a few centimeters with a long putt on the final hole.
Friday’s starting position in the fight for the cut is excellent.
DeChambeau and McIlroy make a big mistake
Some of the best stars cannot cope with the demanding conditions.
United States Open champion Bryson DeChambeau needs 76 strokes to enter the clubhouse on day one. Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy only shoots 78, is in the bottom third and is fighting to stay in the tournament on Friday.
“The conditions are very difficult, we haven’t had the wind this week,” says the four-time major winner.
Defending champion Brian Harman of the US, who played a par 73 (2 over), explains: “The ‘back nine’ is tough, but the first nine holes against the wind, that’s just brutal.”
Englishman Daniel Brown leads after lap 1
37-year-old Irishman Shane Lowry brings a bog-free 66 (-5) into the clubhouse from the challenging course on the Atlantic coast in southwest Scotland. Stroke gains on the 4th, 7th, 8th, 11th and 18th mean the 2019 Open championship’s long lead.
But as one of the last players of the first day, Englishman Daniel Brown came back after 10:30pm CEST with a 65 (-6) from his opening round. The 29-year-old recorded 6 birdies and didn’t miss a beat. That leaves Brown one shot ahead of Lowry.
Justin Thomas is in third place. The American even recorded 7 birdies, but also recorded 3 bogeys and is happy with his 68 (-3).
Scottie Scheffler plays world number one 70 (-1) and records four birdies and three bogeys on the 18 holes as Straka.
The next few days promise even tougher conditions, with rain forecast for the weekend.
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