Kisner leads after first round of 147th Open Championship

World
Europe

The US' Kevin Kisner started the day with a low score, before most had even teed off at the 147th edition of the oldest major in golf at Carnoustie, Scotland.

An eagle and four birdies got Kisner to five under, and he stayed there with the par putt on 16. The 34-year-old faces an even sterner test on 17 to save par, but once again he came through with a huge putt to avoid a second bogey. 

He then rolled in another par on 18 to end the day at minus five, and that would be good for a one-shot lead as he chases this first major.

Tiger Woods walks to his 18th hole. /VCG photo

Tiger Woods is playing in his first Open since 2015.   And the three-time champion started strong as a birdie on four gets him to two under. 

On five, the 42-year-old elected to putt from off the green and judged the curve beautifully, only to see the ball stop on the lip of the cup, denying him another birdie. 

But it wasn't all smooth sailing for the 14-time major winner, who hacked out of the sand on 15 from his knees.  Tiger tapped in for par on 18 to card an even round of 71, the same as China's Li Haotong.

China’s Li Haotong waves to the crowd. /VCG photo

Elsewhere, American Tony Finau and two unheralded South Africans, Erik van Rooyen and Zander Lombard, ended up one stroke behind Kinsner. 2014 champion Rory McIlroy is tied for eighth at two under. Defending champion Jordan Spieth is one over, while world number one Dustin Johnson triple bogeyed 18 and finished at five over.