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The Open is underway as Royal Troon plays host to the 152nd edition of the iconic championship at one of Scotland's toughest courses.
29-year-old Englishman Daniel Brown was the star of the day as he finished six-under-par, while former winner Shane Lowry followed in just one shot behind.
Meanwhile, it was a nightmare afternoon for Rory McIlroy as he risks missing the cut after a torrid round left him seven-over-par and virtually out the running.
It was a similarly difficult day for Tiger Woods, but the legendary American smiled through the pain as thousands clamoured to get close to the star.
Mail Sport's JAMES SHARPE covers the things you may have missed at The Open in Talk of the Troon.
The Open is underway as Royal Troon plays host to the 152nd edition of the iconic championship
Southgate finally soars above De La Fuente
Mixed fortunes for the De la Fuentes and the Southgates over the last few days. Spain manager Luis conquered Europe as his side beat England in Sunday’s final, but namesake Santiago, the Mexican amateur, took a triple-bogey eight on the fifth in a horror round of 78 at Royal Troon.
Matthew Southgate, meanwhile, played OK for his two-over round but not quite well enough to hit the top. Sounds about right.
Matthew Southgate, meanwhile, played OK for his two-over round but not quite well enough to hit the top
Santiago De La Fuente took a triple-bogey eight on the fifth in a horror round of 78 at Royal Troon
Iconic Scottish course up for sale
In the market for a house on a golf course? You’re in luck. One of the two iconic Blackrock House cottages, wedged between the second and 16th holes at Royal Troon, is up for sale.
‘One of the best houses in golf,’ say the estate agents. Good job, too, as it’s on the market for £1.5million — and that’s before you factor in any repairs for broken windows.
Tech billionaire's son impresses all
Never mind Tom Cruise, there is another Maverick flying high at Royal Troon. Maverick McNealy, the 28-year-old American son of a tech billionaire, turned for home on two-under before finishing at even par.
As it happens, Maverick’s not named after the Top Gun character but rather a Ford car model — as are his brothers Dakota, Colt and Scout. McNealy’s grandfather, Raymond William McNealy Jnr, was vice chairman of American Motors. Maverick is a trained pilot, though. No, seriously.
Maverick McNealy, the 28-year-old American son of a tech billionaire, turned for home on two-under before finishing at even par
Leading amateur shines in familiar territory
Callum Scott ended the day as the leading amateur after a stellar level-par round of 70. The 20-year-old hails from Nairn, a small town in the Scottish Highlands 200 miles north of Troon, but practises his craft at college in Lubbock, Texas — the home of Buddy Holly. A Scottish amateur going round seven shots better than Rory McIlroy? That’ll be the day!
A hole to forget!
Spare a thought for Dan Bradbury, whose quintuple-bogey on the par-four ninth was the worst hole of the day. He put his second shot in the bushes right of the green, took a drop, duffed his next shot back into the same bushes, dropped again, pitched it over the green, chipped to three feet, missed the short putt and tapped in for a nine. Ouch.
Spare a thought for Dan Bradbury, whose quintuple-bogey on the par-four ninth was the worst hole of the day
Special moment for New Zealand star
It was an emotional day for Michael Hendry. The New Zealander withdrew from last year’s Open after contracting leukaemia. He lost two stone in weight and was barely strong enough to walk up the stairs.
Michael Hendry withdrew from last year’s Open after contracting leukaemia but returned to the competition this year
The R&A allowed him to come back and play this year. ‘It was extremely special,’ said Hendry after his round of 74. ‘This is the one thing that got me through my recovery.’
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