ST ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) - David Lingmerth took full advantage of perfect scoring conditions as the Swede started his round with four consecutive birdies in the early stages of the 144th British Open at St Andrews on Thursday.
Australian Rod Pampling struck the first tee shot a little after 6:30 a.m. (0530 GMT), the 45-year-old playing alongside England's Greg Owen and Denmark's twice former runner-up Thomas Bjorn, with all three finding 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.