ST ANDREWS, Scotland — American whizzkid Jordan Spieth, hoping to make it three major victories in a row, was quickly into his stride early in the first round of the 144th British Open on Thursday.
While the 21-year-old was flying high toward the top of the leaderboard at five-under-par through seven holes, former world number one Tiger Woods was struggling to get to grips with the Fife links.
American Robert Streb was leading the way at six-under in benign conditions featuring barely a breath of wind after cramming seven birdies in the opening 16 holes.
All eyes were on Spieth, though, and he gave an early statement of his intent by ramming in a six-foot birdie putt at the first.