- Updates from the first round at Royal Portrush
- The official live Open leaderboard
- McIlroy focused on bigger picture at homecoming
- Rahm has punch and panache to end Spain’s wait
- And feel free to email scott.murray@theguardian.com
Clarke settles for par on 2, though he very nearly snaked in a birdie putt from the fringe at the back. He looks in the mood to cash in years of experience round here for tangible reward. He remains at -1. But he’s joined in the early lead by James Sugrue, the 22-year-old Amateur Champion playing the par-five in textbook fashion, two long and straight shots to find the green, a couple of calm putts to make his birdie. And so the Open, for what it’s worth at this infant stage, is now led by a former champion and an amateur.
-1: Clarke (2), Sugrue -a- (2)
E: Hoffman (2), Grillo (1), Kang (1), Thurloway -a- (1)
Clarke’s drive at the par-five 2nd dribbles into a bunker down the left, and he won’t be able to go for the green with his second. After splashing back out onto the fairway, he takes a pensive draw from a delicious morning cigarette. But his stress levels will be nothing on poor Andy Sullivan: the 33-year-old from Nuneaton, who tied for 12th at Troon three years ago, hooks his opening drive out of bounds down the left. A horror start. He’s the first to do so, but almost certainly won’t be the last, as there’s OB running down both sides of 1. If you’re feeling tight, it’s tight.
Written by Scott Murray
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/jul/18/the-open-2019-first-round-live under the title “The Open 2019: first round – live!”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
