ST ANDREWS, Scotland, July 16 (Reuters) - Australian Rod Pampling struck the first shot of the 144th British Open at a St Andrews on Thursday as the third major of the year got going in calm conditions on the Fife coast.
The 45-year-old and playing partners Greg Owen from England and Denmark's twice former runner-up Thomas Bjorn all found the middle of the invitingly wide fairway on the 375-yard par four.
A sprinkling of supporters were already on the famous Old Course 7,297 yard par 72 links as Pampling and Bjorn both made safe pars, while Owen birdied.