Day 1 Golf: The Open

Good morning, this is the scene on the first morning of the Open

Championship. Strong sunshine and hardly a breath of wind. Well, eight

years ago, Royal Liverpool's parched fairways were scorched by the sun

and by the relentless control of Tiger Woods on his way to a third

open title. Now he's back, and so are we, at Hoylake. And this is what

they are playing for, the most beautiful and coveted trophy in

golf. It's the old claret jug. Play began at 6:25am, and now we are just

moments away from seeing Tiger Woods get underway in what would be only

his third competitive round since back surgery in late March. You want

box office at the open? We've got it this morning.

And it will be fascinating to see how he and everyone else in this 156

strong field fares this week. Tiger still rated at 20-1 to win here

again at Hoylake. He is playing alongside Angel Cabrera and world

number two, Henrik Stenson of Sweden. 11 hours of live golf

stretches before us today. Andrew Cotter and Peter Alliss can't wait

to get going in the commentary box. Good morning. COMMENTATOR: You are

quite right, my heart is pumping, I am like an old warhorse pouring the

ground and sniffing the air. Many people have been waiting for this

fellow to turn up. I'm surprised he has done as well as he has, without

opening with a birdie. But there I say it coming is loved by many here

today. They forgive him his scowling and spitting, and they have really

come to see him do well. What a cracking three ball. It's the most

beautiful morning. Phil Parker will be following this game, enjoying the

sunshine which I hope will stay there for about three or four hours

at least. One of the things to look out for as well is, how many times

will he use his driver to date? -- today.

The members play this hole as the 17th, but it has been jigged around

because of the grandstands and one thing and another, so it is a pretty

good opening hole. It has been made a little easier over the past 30

years or so, moving the green further away from the out of bounds.

OK. On the tee from Argentina, Angel

Cabrera. This is the contrast, in 2006 he had a very good finish, and

he used his driver as often as he wanted, he smashed his way round

here. Where is Tiger Woods was iron most of the way. -- whereas Tiger

Woods was. Well, he won in America a week or two back, and he is in good

form. Strikes a blow for those who don't go to the gym. Cracks it away.

Huge. On the tee from Sweden, Henrik Stenson. Many people 's pick. Form

starting to come good this season. After the heroics of last year.

There we are. Different ways of doing it. All in pretty good

position. I get the feeling that this is going to be a rather special

Championship. Huge crowds have been here for the practice days. I don't

think I have ever seen a bigger looking tented village. And the

grandstand around the 18th is incredible. It looks like the

back-end of a football stadium or. Absolutely sensational. Much will

depend on the weather. -- back end of a football stadium or Wimbledon.

STUDIO: At the 1st hole earlier today, Matteo Manassero, his third

shot at the par-4 first. And... Well, that's the way to do it, isn't

it? Straight in. That's the way to make an opening birdie. He was the

leading amateur in 2009. He would birdie another at the 3rd. Dawie Van

Der Walt had eagled the fifth, the first of the par-5 holes, and here

he is at the 7th. The man who headed the Sunshine Tour in South Africa

last year. Getting very close and setting up a birdie. Marc Leishman

comedy was joined by the Aussie, the heroics of last year 's Masters you

might remember -- Marc Leishman, he was joined. On in two, and he would

make a birdie, so he dives down to 2-under par as well as the South

African. Welcome to the party to Kiradech Aphibarnrat. He would go to

the top of the boards as well. They are making hay at the opening par-5.

And Brooks Koepka, the man who had a top five finish at the recent US

open, started very well. He is 2-under par as well. This is the

situation as we join it. Six of them at 2-under par, and we have had our

first eagle courtesy of Dawie Van Der Walt. So it looks good in the

scoring charts, and it should be. Hardly a breath of wind, beautiful

temperatures, forecast to go up to 23 degrees today. We could have a

puff of wind at about three o'clock, ten to 15 mph, but really nothing in

relative terms. It is the day to make a score, it would appear.

COMMENTATOR: There is a little bit of Greece, as you would expect. -- a

little bit of breeze, as you would expect. Now, the Green used to be 20

or 30 yards nearer to us. Only a couple of strands of wire on the

right, and too many balls were going through onto the road and the

houses. So they moved the green back, and in fact made it a little

easier. Here is Tiger's second. Oh dear. Down, down in the bunker.

That's the price for laying back off the tee. Down in the sand. Darren

Clarke. Four stone lighter than the former figure. This is to get to

level. Slip of a lad. 2011 champion. Stimson's second to the opening

hole. Looks like a medium iron, five, six,

seven, that sort of thing. And he... Over there? I think he was down in

the front left bunker. This is what Cabrera did in 2006, took his

driver, tried to carry the bunkers. Woods with his two iron. Adam Scott

was driving so well, he was able to get it down there, hitting eights,

minds and wedges. You put a lot of pressure on your mid-irons. This

fellow could be a danger. He is crash bang wallop, and I don't say

that in an unkind way. If he gets going, finding the fairways, and

gets a putting touch, he could be here come Sunday night. Loose swing

for a big, solid man. Well, on the green, not really threatening a

birdie, but on. As you can see, beautiful weather conditions out

here on the Hoylake links this morning, as they approach the first

green. Woods has been speaking about feeling much faster and stronger,

but remember he has only played two competitive rounds since that injury

all the way back in March. Also worth remembering, we talked a lot

about how well he played at Hoylake back in 2006, when he won his third

Open Championship here, but he did start on that first Thursday with a

bogey on the 1st hole. Plenty to watch over the next four days on the

BBC coverage. Let's go and read join the live golf coverage.

I think that was the ball of Tom Watson on the 4th hole. Good start

for Tom Watson today, birdied the first. This is his final Open

Championship. We thought it was his final in 2010, but they extended it

so now that former winners up to the age of 65 get to play. And who would

argue against that? I heard a little rumour that he's had special

dispensation from them that make decisions, you will be allowed to

play next year if he wishes at St Andrews, and end his career there.

Here is Stimson, out of the sand, third shot. -- here is Stimson. --

here is Stenson. Well, work to do. Play started at 6:25am, and players

were arriving with Bonymaen, raring to go.

Striking the ball out of the middle of the club, striking the ball

nicely, settling in. And it is not of the club, striking the ball

just how often Tiger Woods used the driver, but his short game at

Congressional if you weeks ago, 16 times he missed the green in

regulation, got up and down just three times. By his standards of

short game, that is not good. He is on a downslope, this is not easy.

That was not easy at all. That's down the hill, it could be in more

trouble. No, it's clear. This is not the start we were looking for.

Ridiculous thing to say, isn't it? He was hoping for a three. Certainly

not to take six. Can I go back to the tea-time, sir? I wasn't quite

ready. We fit and strong and healthy now, that

is not the issue. We will go to Sergio Garcia on the

3rd hole. 199 for Garcia here. Just a puff of breeze down, out of the

left. Great angle for this flag. Lovely shot from Garcia. The out of

bounds is just a few paces off the edge of the green there. Could be

terrifying. But on a day like today, nothing really to worry Garcia.

Playing alongside Luke Donald and Rickie Fowler. Tiger at the 1st, his

fourth shot. Putting it back up the slope, through the gully. What are

you doing, Tiger? Perhaps he feels in such good condition he is going

to the field a two upstart? You never know with the way he thinks.

That is extraordinary. Well. Let's go back to the third. Here we are,

over the out of bounds goes Luke Donald, so he has some distance to

go. This is a shot to test the nerves. But again, flat and calm

today, just about. There you see, the little ridge, and that out of

bounds. Cabrera, birdie opportunity at the 1st. Good effort. Par. Nice,

smooth start. Great shots from above. You can see if you look at

the green there, top left, if you go down to where the tee is, that's

about where the green used to be. But those people with the red roofed

houses and the cars parked there, they got a bit cheesed off with ball

spinning off the road into the garden. The tall figure of Robert

Karlsson on the 12th, coming round nicely. Birdies at the 10th and 12th

comedy moves to 1-under par. Good to see him coming back to form --

birdies at the 10th and 12th, he moves back into form.

Back to the first. Stenson for a par-4. Cabrera already in for a

four. Now, this is a longish putt to have on your opening hole for a

par-4. But should you strike it nicely and see it go right in the

middle of the hole, the nerves will settle down. No. It's a nerve

twitch. What an untidy start. For two of them anyway, Stenson and

Woods, two of the favourites. This is a big putt, obviously, just

to drop one shot. Interesting start. But don't forget when he won here at

Hoylake in 2006 he bogeyed the 1st hole back then. This is for a bogey.

That was a lovely putt. Although it was 45. One plate, 1-over. --

although it was for a five. One played, 1-over.

Let's see if Stenson can just finish up for his five. Tough opening hole.

With the conditions today not quite so difficult, but the men who laid

back with iron shots off the tee both end up with bogeys. STUDIO:

Amongst the other groups we will be watching closely is this trio,

former world number one Luke Donald trying to bridge a gap back to the

last English winner. He has Rickie Fowler, and Sergio Garcia, who has

lost count of the number of times he has been close without the cigar at

the Open Championship. Woods, Cabrera and is dense -- and Stenson

have just launched their assault. At 9:26am, an outrageously talented

trio of twentysomethings. Double major winner Rory McIlroy, Hideki

Matsuyama, and America's Jordan Speith, the wonder kid who pushed

Bubba Watson all the way at the Masters at Augusta in April. So much

to look forward to on this opening morning. COMMENTATOR: 3rd hole, Luke

Donald, third shot. A wizard of the short game. That's looking back down

the second, first goes up, second comes back. A little bit of

aggression from Cabrera on the first, make the hole so easy. And

the course is so much easier than open Championships have been over

the past couple of years. open Championships have been over

be interesting to see if they start becoming more aggressive. Safely on

the fairway. This fairway really narrows up between the bunkers at

around 300, 330, so I and shots for all the players, I would expect. --

so iron shots. Yes, the question is, no one really knows the game that

Tiger Woods does have right now, but I was with him a couple of weeks ago

at Congressman when he did play two competitive rounds. He hit his iron

is great. He drove poorly, but his irons were actually good. Don't

forget around this golf course you can actually play many irons. Just

nestled down. A little bit loose with the iron. One of the advantages

Henrik Stenson has over many players, he can hit irons, and the

3-wood he hits so far. Even if he is coming in from a long-distance, he

hits the ball so high, and with Spain he can get it to stop so much

than most players. -- and with spin. Good from Stenson and Cabrera,

Tiger just in the semi-rough. Back to the third. Garcia. For a birdie,

to go to 2-under par. Oh, come on. It's there. Well done. Well, he's

had a smooth, sweet, succulents start. 2-under par after three. Now

Donald for his par. Nicely done. Three behind his playing partner.

Ryan Moore at the 6th. This is to get to 2-under par. Ryan Moore has

been around a few years in the States. He has done it.

Unconventional golfer in many ways. Puts some good scores together. Some

good scoring so far, but on this very nine-day with perfect

conditions, nobody is destroying the court just yet. -- the course. A

group tied at 2-under par. These are spectacular shots from on high.

There is the horseshoe green over on the far side, this media centre,

clubhouse, top centre. Conservative club just on the left-hand side. My

fellow members in Farnham will be gathered round watching today. From

Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy. Iron for Michael -- for McIlroy.

What lies in store for him? 64 to start the Scottish open last week

followed by 78 on the Friday. Fairway found on the first. On the

tee from Japan, Hideki Matsuyama. A group of great young talents, this

one, to watch. We have seen a mixture of decisions already made

off this tee, but iron format to Yarmouth. Ideal place is down the

left, it opens up the green -- but iron for Matsuyama. Finished sixth

in his debut last year. Watch out for him this week. On the tee from

the USA, Jordan Spieth. Nicely done from all three, and what

a group to watch. Matsuyama, McIlroy and Speith. STUDIO: Quite right.

Rory McIlroy was actually on holiday in Spain with his mum and dad when

the open was last played at Hoylake in 2006. He did not make his debut

as an amateur until the following year. Since then he has become

number one, the most talked about player in the world at times, a

winner of two different Majors, and one of the favourites to make it

three here. in the Scottish open was that the

wind did blow, and previously we thought that he struggled when the

wind got up. But he can do it. I was just thinking what a feast it has

been over the last few weeks, and a lot more to come for lovers of link

scarf. -- of links golf. Let's look at Woods 's second. And he's just

got back. It has been a feast at the Scottish open, at the women's Open.

Stay. Things can topple off the green to the right. Up to the 10th,

Leishman, this is to go 3-under, and he has done it. A lot of regular

names. Some looking for fame. Actually, for Australia, there is a

Leishman in America too. Garcia, 152. Playing excellent, has not

missed a shot so far. Is his magic lean, and it works.

Matsuyama. The first hole. Slovak. Almost a little pause at the

top of the backswing. Yes, nicely done.

Spieth and Mac or if -- McIlroy both on the fairway, slightly more

difficult one for Spieth. That is a misjudgement, down into

the bunker where Stenson was. A misjudgement. A very good all-round

player, a very good short game, not a big hitter or flamboyant player,

just very good. Ideal position for Mac McIlroy. -- McIlroy. That is

more like it. At this moment, you could not wish for better

conditions. Players starting at 6:30am, I always think back to St

Andrews, getting in the early score then the weather can deteriorate,

that can always happen when you are by the sea. Stenson did fall off the

green at the 2nd. that can always happen when you are

by the sea. Stenson did Their role sorts of undulation is on the second

green. Stenson in danger of dropping a shot at the 2nd.

I go back to when I was with Tiger Woods a few weeks ago, coming back

off the back surgery, the driving was not good, surprisingly his

putting was not good. He has had a couple of weeks since then. This is

a tough one. Steady. Luke Donald at the 4th, this for a

birdie. While he is 1-over par. I thought he had got that one.

Cabrera was the aggressive on the first, safe on the second, leaving

himself 200 yards, missing the green leaving him an awkward chip shot.

This to save par. A solid start. Garcia with another great

opportunity for birdie after that 9-iron, pin high. I think the pace

of the links greens, they give Garcia a chance to be more positive

with his putting. A good start for Garcia. 2-under.

Spieth, his third shot. Look how deep the bunkers are. Not too bad.

Stenson for his par at the 2nd. Yes. Avoiding the bogey, bogey start. Big

putts to hole for your par. 15 feet. Quite a lot of noise, this washy,

that will hold of this town -- the sound. I have never seen anything

like that before. Woods for par. Dropping a shot at the 1st, dropping

a shot at the 2nd, not good news. It is a tired old thing to say, but in

his pomp he would roll those in. That is not a good putt. Birdie

chance missed by McIlroy. He looked a good putt, it did not disappear,

only a four. I am surprised on this perfect morning, players of the

class of Woods and Stenson struggling, and Cabrera, taking a

five. Both holes are 450 yards, not pushing them. I gave Cabrera a par

at the 2nd, it was of course a birdie. Spieth, the par. That will

do. -- for par. Looks so composed, is only 20.

That is a two shot penalty. Very artistic. Nice little touches. Slow

motion. So slow you can almost see someone changing their mind. That is

West Kirby Marine Lake. Garcia. Seeing off next. -- teeing

off next. Playing beautifully this morning. The wind has died off

completely. This hole is characteristic of Hoylake, three

bunkers down the left-hand side there. He can still get up in two.

Most players will be hitting an iron office, a little bitter breeze

helping. That is aiming towards the corner, that should be OK. --

heating and I in. -- hitting an iron off this.

heating and I in. -- hitting an iron We can see the huge crowds following

Tiger Woods, you are a firm believer their golf needs him at the top.

There is no question about that. There is an energy here that has

been lacking for awhile. There are a lot of doubters, but it is a bit

like Ian Botham stepping onto the pitch at Lord's. He would not bet

against him hitting one out of the ground. Bogey, bogey start, but he

may get it going later on in the day. He has played so little

competitive golf, what chance does he have? Making the cut is

realistic. We saw him earlier on in the year, at Torrey Pines. I've

never seen him with an atmosphere like this. Realistically, making the

cut. By the way if you are coming to the Open, get your Sun cream on. Up

it is beautiful. -- it is beautiful. Edoardo Molinari, that bit of rough

does not look too vicious, but there are areas where it is long and

thick. Nearly getting it up and out. Great bit of golfing country here,

some nice little courses. McIlroy tried to find this narrow fairway at

the 2nd. Wide enough there with the iron. Compton, for the birdie. Well

done. A great story, Erik Compton. We will talk more about that later

on. This is what Luke Donald faced only third. The dogleg, that is out

of bounds. Woods coming across it. Cabrera and Stenson in good shape.

He gives Woods bit of a pause for thought. Looks like Stenson will go

first from the middle of the fairway. Completely different angle,

hitting alongside the out of bounds. 190 yards left for Henrik. That is

more like it. You can see the out of bounds rich, years ago that was, now

they let it grow. It sometimes stops the ball going from over the top.

That is the practice ground on the left. For the first time, Kenneth

Brown is here. Welcome. Good morning, what a delightful morning,

hardly a breath of wind, blue skies, huge galleries out. That is nicely

done. The out of bounds is so tight, you have to get careful. You have

two make the most of the morning like this, Peter. Oh, yes. Cabrera

now. He has not gone out of bounds, has the? He has. Would you believe

it? -- as. -- has he?. On a breathless day, to knock it out of

bounds, unbelievable. He is not 1 million miles away again. Goes to

the top of the green. That is four. Richie Gray -- we have Graeme

McDowell. You had to measure your expectations, prepare well, try to

be patient. I have been here since Sunday, playing this golf course for

different days. Very different weather conditions. The sun is

shining, perfect playing conditions, looking forward to the challenge.

You say conditions, it is forecast to do all sorts of things. You must

be happy? I have seen this golf course in varying wind directions.

In France, a couple of weeks ago, very tough conditions, playing in

wind and rain. We know at the Open weather can play a massive

influence. It can influence the golf course. I have various game plans to

deal with the various wind conditions. Hopefully I can play

well, execute my game plans, and try and put myself in a good position.

Nice to hear from Graeme, that is the practice ground, the municipal

course. There is a cluster of golf courses around here. Garcia, on par

five second. 280, great angle for this flag.

Leaving himself a very awkward little pitch. On the down slope. Ten

yards closer or Rickie looking to leave himself on the left-hand side,

avoiding that bunker at all costs. -- closer for. Frank is in the box,

welcome. You would like to be out there? Absolutely stunning day, Ken.

No surprise to this is, Rory McIlroy. 6-iron for Rory. Trying to

find the back left flag, needs to land it in the heart of the green.

Oh, that is an absolute cracker, it had to... Oh, man! Such a difficult

pin to get at. These are brilliant conditions for Rory, he likes a

softer golf course, the wind is down. Difficult lie for Spieth, he

has to come in over the left-hand bunker if he wants to go at the

flag. Did well to get that on the green. After a dip over the out of

bounds, Angel Cabrera, this for his bogey. It has a chance. He hits a

tribe of the first tee, he is going to get after the course. It is a day

you can do it. A very different course from last

time, perhaps the players will take there -- will take wooden clubs off

the tee. Tiger, throngs of people out there. Gavin with this group.

Stenson. After a super approach. He pushed one on the first, he has done

it again there, I think that was a slight misread.

In a morning where there are few birdies about, this three ball are

all over par. Some second shot. The flag is back left. But you are

right, Ken, the coastline looks great, a prime day-to-day. He has a

bit of grass on the ball. A high floating one. Playing it well. That

is divine. There is a big, deep part before the green. This is the

sexiest oldest club in Britain. -- this is the second oldest club in

Britain. A lot of history. Robert Karlsson. The green is not overly

quick, in case the wind gets up. Perhaps a hint of movement from his

left. Doing in excellent job in these

conditions. A good day to be in the red. A good day to be first out,

too. Donald over the pot bunker, green running away from him. A

delightful little pitch. He is not... What a shot. So clever, you

have two be brave to do that. We go forward, to the 10th hole. Former

winner of the US Amateur, Edoardo Molinari. Starting to go in. The

much better putter of the two brothers. Tied at the top with Marc

Leishman. We go back to Sergio Garc?a. This to join the group at

3-under. Up, up, yes! Done in some style, Ken. He has been so close in

so many Majors, it is to be his turn sometime. 2006 he was close, the

great Seve Ballesteros' last major, last Open Championship. Scott, you

are pulling a crowd? Wonderful atmosphere behind these players,

some great golf being played. Luke is a bit scrappy, being dragged

along by Garcia. Rickie Fowler, back-to-back birdies, great little

pitch. Well done, super up and down. Moving to two wonder. Runner-up in

the recent US Open. Also tied fifth at the Masters, having a great year.

Starting to show what all that early promise was about. Once again, an

iron for Rory. Interesting start, four straight par fours.

Luke Donald is dropped one at the 1st, he gets one back. Good riddance

to his stroke. They moved to the short sixth. Jim Furyk, had a few

weeks off. Not rusty. The front of the clubhouse, where

all the courtesy cars pull up, the other side of that is the putting

green. The first TUC is number three. -- the first tee you see is

number three. What a site that is. Hundreds

number three. What a site that is. shot. The fourth hole -- 157 yards.

Surprise surprise, all three players on the fairway. That is a rarity,

even though they are hitting irons off the tee. This is a really good

birdie opportunity, even though the pin position is quite a long way

back. 153 yards for Cabrera. Trying to get it to cut back. It has

almost been a bit of a shock to these players, that they have not

got off to a start. With these conditions, there are birdie

opportunities, just to go with the deep rough, and you will be fine.

with the Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth group. Maureen is following

this for us. A very impressive start from Rory. Absolutely ideal, every

shot he has it, the big clubs have been perfect, ideal lines onto the

greens, the 6-iron on the second, stone dead. I could've got putt.

Steady on, some people have questioned his temperament when it

comes to the Open Championship. He says links golf is not his favourite

type of golf, but he has a real chance. He has always been a

slightly streaky player, it depends how he feels. These are great

conditions for every one of them. He can get in close to the pins, he has

a real chance to get a good marker on the board, that will make him

feel great. Let's get back to the Gulf.

Pin on a little back ledge at number six, 25 on, seven from the left. Six

hole playing 201 today, Garcia going with a 6-iron, looking to get it on

the back shelf, keeping it right side of the flag. Wants to get it up

the little tire, if you can. If you try to carry it all the way on, it

is very difficult to hold onto the green. Chance to take the lead,

Edoardo Molinari. That had to move left. To the par-3 6th. A 6-iron for

Luke here. See if he can get something going after that birdie on

the last. He got a steer from his mate, Sergio

Garcia. Good buddies, him and Luke Donald. Often spent time together up

the mountain, there. They have been a good pairing in the Ryder Cup as

well. The par threes here are beautiful. All four play in

different directions. If the wind were to get up today, it would be a

totally different mix. 85 degrees tomorrow. Some block time. I can't

believe the moon is still out. -- sunblock. He has the flag out, this

is for a birdie at four, just coming up a little ridge. Oh. Well, it's a

bumpy start. Bogeys at one and two. Outside chance of a birdie three,

and potential for another bogey again here. Such a big ask, isn't

it? His last event was three or four months off. STUDIO: Yet again from

the perfect position, right on the elbow of the dogleg, Rory McIlroy

looking right at this screen. -- looking right up this green.

Oh, Rory. On a roll. I think the tactics of the tee will be key to

his success. 28 rounds, 43 under-par for the first round, had a few poor

second rounds. Real quality striking.

The young superstar. He has done everything. Jordan Spieth, he won

the John Deere just over a year ago. Yes, he has had some terrific

performances. This is absolutely on-the-fly. -- on the flag. He has

got that one intangible, attitude. Belief that he belongs. STUDIO:

Almost four hours into the play on the opening day, and we have

co-leaders in Edoardo Molinari, and it is great to see him back from

Italy, his first appearance in the open for three years, after two

wrist surgeries. Showed great form in the past couple of weeks,

runner-up to Mikko Ilonen in the Irish Open. He is tied on 3-under

par with Sergio Garcia, who was such a force here eight years ago. Went

out in the last group on the last day but it was not to be his day.

Robert Karlsson in that group at 2-under par. He was on the 6:25am

tea-time -- tee time. COMMENTATOR: Another clutch at four Tiger. It

will be interesting to see the pace. Scrapping. He had two hole one at

that sort of link on the first for a bogey. This should be moving a

little bit from right to left. Well, some are on the move. Not much

of a breeze to get them going round this morning. Synchronised

windmills. Donald just a little closer. Pretty much on the same

line. Looking for back-to-back birdies, here. You would think it is

a good course for Luke Donald. Accurate player, generally. Controls

his irons well. Even par, never to bed, through the first six. -- never

too bad, through the first six. Rickie Fowler, after birdies at four

and five, this is to try to get to 3-under.

Fowler for par after that exquisite little chip from the left side of

the green. Think he thought it would release a little more than it did.

Thriving on the little shots he has got to play, little chip and runs.

We have seen players come over from the United States in the past and

have not really enjoyed links golf. They haven't really played it on

days like today. Tiger Woods out with the iron on

this short par-5. That is very low. Not sure he intended to go that low,

but it's working nicely for him. He can still get home, here. Still not

quite in sync. Can Jordan Spieth read this birdie chance? It's coming

back. He read it beautifully. Double breaker. Delightfully done.

Confidence, that's what he's got. A lot of self-confidence. Playing

alongside Rory McIlroy. This is for two in a row. Little bit of a

block. He has shot so many good opening rounds. Four times this year

he has shot 64 or better. On the first day. Opportunity drifting by,

but 1-under par. Well, a wonderful view from above.

This 4th hole is 372 yards, virtually straightaway par one of

the shortest fours on the golf course. Most of the players will be

driving in this area. 240 yards off the tee. The bunker on the right

side is 241 yards to reach it off the back tea, and from the front it

is only 110 yards. If you try to go further, the fairway bottles in and

the game is virtually nothing. This is where all the players are likely

to hit it. If you look at this fairway there is hardly a divot in

it, perfect. But as the week goes by with players laying up in the same

area, you might find a divot mark. Wind behind it will be no more than

a 5-iron ore for Ryan, and if you miss judge it, and go a bit further,

the ball just trickles and trickles and you might get lucky, but if you

get an marquee, this is an awful bunker to get into. You never get a

flat life. -- if you get an lucky -- if you get unlucky, this is an awful

bunker to get into, you never get a flat lie.

As Ken was telling you, this is the shortest of the par fours. Down the

left gives you much the easy angle into the green. Into a bit of a

breeze today which makes the second shot a lot easier, because coming

down wind is very difficult to get close to the short pin. We are

looking at how prolific these youngsters are. Matsuyama winning in

America, he did win in Japan. Talent galore in this group.

Top player from Japan these days. That's OK, nice life. Important to

find the fairway so you can spin your next. -- nice lie. Jordan

Spieth is a very big draw out here, people are very excited to see him.

This is only his second Open Championship. But he has figured

well in a few Majors he has played in so far. Ideal temperament for the

game. This club brings these bunkers into play. Flirts with the one on

the right side. That was very aggressive. I think that was the

fearlessness of youth for Jordan Spieth. McIlroy quite a veteran

compared to his two playing partners. They are just second-year

professionals. Needs to find a lie or a nice bounce. He has done OK, I

think. Spindly rough. Yet another par-4, yet another iron

for Sergio. Magnificent striking so far. Flushing it. He is a flusher,

one of the really sound strikers of the ball. Woods.

We just see on the move down, taking a little bit of turf. Just been a

little late on a few of the hits. Missed it to the right on both three

Robert Karlsson. Oh, that's a good and four.

Robert Karlsson. Oh, that's a good shot. Six yards to land it on, green

running away. The long hitting Dustin Johnson. He can yield the

putter as well. Of course he has been close in this Championship.

A chance to join the leaders, and does, with a delightful birdie.

Joins Molinari and Sergio Garcia at 3-under par. One of the tallest

players on the Tour. And there is how it looks. A Swede and Italian

and a Spaniard leading the early stages of the Open Championship.

Australian Marc Leishman putting together another good Open

Championship. A few red figures early on. Neat and tidy start for

Rory McIlroy. Currently 24 players under-par. Four amateurs in the

field. Ashley Chesters, a good start for him. Sliding down to look at the

ball positions on the fourth. McIlroy 56 paces behind Jordan

Spieth. But Speith took a big gamble to sneak it past that bunker, and

just managed to do it. Rory has 169 yards to go, OK lie. Just in the

semi-rough. He has two coming over two cavernous bunkers. That won't be

a problem for him -- he has to come in. KJ Choi just puts another one

in. Hardly a blade of grass where it shouldn't be, here. So the green is

clear. Well, everything on this green runs down to the back left

corner. Rather attractively, that is where today's flag is situated. So

Rory should have plenty of green to work with. Not a difficult shot.

Just a wee breeze holding the ball up. Not really anything to bother

him over the back. Going to use a high trajectory to get it to stop,

not spin. Well, when you haven't played

competitive golf for so long, these are the shots that test. I must say,

he played that rather conservatively. Well, Ken, what have

you done wrong? Even the police are having fun today. There is a bird

observatory, you can walk across there, when the tide is out, as you

can see. Don't know what he is up to. Don't think he's going to catch

him. Rickie Fowler here on seven, just 335 off the tee. Bit of a

discussion with the caddy, think they are trying to work out the

breeze. It is their one minute, it dies the next. This is a hole where

you can only see half the flag. Even from 140, he can only see the top

end of the flag. Now, can he make a birdie for the first time? The crowd

know it. First push forward in the comeback. His victory last time, he

was 14-under par for the par fives, it is absolutely critical you play

them well this week. So, after that huge driver off the tee. Founder.

The distance is good. He kept it well away from the bunkers on the

left. I know my bag didn't used to look like that.

Speith just sitting one in, it will skid and then grip, hopefully.

That's the way to do it. Beauty. Took advantage of a very aggressive

tee shot. At the 13th, Ben Martin from the United States. We are

seeing if you putts go in. -- a few.

Henrik Stenson at the par-5. Trying to match Woods. Nice little assist.

This is really where it all started last year. He found that extra gear.

Turned into a wonderful finish for the year. The golf course just up

the road, very nice golf course as well. Not the biggest piece of

ground, they have almost extended it as long as it can be without being

ridiculous. Rory not getting the flyer he expected, so a long

approach putt, and it will come from right to left just at the very end

of its journey. Marvellous lag. With the longer putts you see him

released the putter, with putts inside 15 feet, it tends to be more

of a block. Yes, I noticed on one he missed earlier, looked like he just

trapped the ball on the ground. They loved their golf around here. Most

enthusiastic crowds. They come out in their droves. Couple of odd

points, one or two of them. It's going to be a very exciting

atmosphere. It is a delight to see so many people about. Welcome back

out to the course. They have turned up the technology at the open. You

will see 17 of these new brand new LED screens. There is a traditional

human activated scoreboard on the grandstand finish. They are trying

their best to improve the open experience. It tells you the players

that are approaching. Smartphones are allowed in. You can turn them on

but you have to keep the sound down. There is on course Wi-Fi and

everybody has been encouraged to download the open app, which allows

you to look at the BBC coverage as well. And one new thing is golf as

GPS, so you can find out where your favourite player is, what group they

are in. And no sporting coverage on any channel is complete without a

vote, so we have one for you to keep you entertained. We would like to

know who you think is going to win. It is only for fun, you can't win

anything. Exactly who will win? If I was going

for that group, I would go for other. Certainly wide open this

year, with the conditions, it should bring a lot more people into play.

So, fresh off his first birdie, about to play his first puffery of

the day. -- about to play his first par-3. 201 yards, the six hole, for

Tiger Woods. Back left hole position, not easy to get close.

Unless your name is Henrik Stenson. Here is how it has played today. Six

birdies, we have had. On the last hole Cabrera decided he

was going to get the driver out. He made a nice birdie. Not easy to get

close but he does like to draw the ball. Suits this shot. He is drawing

it. Maybe too much. Firm bounce off the shoulder. Looks like a nasty

little lie. I would have thought it was a friendly flag here today. Yes,

but over the back is not good. Rickie Fowler, after a glorious

drive. Reasonably sensible approach. Very reflective get hurt, number

seven, tucked behind the bunker. Robert Karlsson 3-under par, tied

with Sergio Garcia, who is playing at the 8th. Montanari has dropped

one back. Ryan Moore from the United States also going well. -- Molinari

hands. You would have thought this course

would have suited Matteo Manassero. If you can find his form on the

greens, might give himself a chance. The evergreen Jim Furyk, amazing

player. Having a very good season. Hideki Matsuyama played so well in

the major Championships last year. Obviously Japan's best chance going

forward. Garcia on the eighth tee here, blind tee shot, over some

bushes. Trying to keep it short of the right-hand bunker. Just chases

so hard through the ball. He is in a happy place at the

moment. Does a bit of tweaking here and there. Enjoyed watching the

football. For the first week anyway. I was ribbing him about Spain a few

weeks ago. Now Luke Donald. His girlfriend is from Germany, so she

enjoyed it. Donald also on the eighth, looking to find the fairway.

without Peter Alliss. It is the most gorgeous day. We are on the Wirral,

we talk about Royal Liverpool, but we are a few miles from the city of

Liverpool. This course was created in the 18 hundredths. -- 1800s. Play

has been going the four hours. -- going for. This one running away.

Tiger is battling away. Not getting away to the best of starts, rather

like Cabrera. Started off nicely on the first hole, since then, in all

sorts of bother. Back to the first tee. John

Singleton, the local lad. Great applause for him. Came through the

qualifying rounds, wouldn't it be a fairy story if he did well? Be great

to be greatly played all four rounds. Welcome, Mark James. We

shall settle in and watch this fellow drive.

Take your time... I think his heart will be pumping a bit. I would not

be at all surprised. Watch the ball, keep your swing, you can do it. That

looked good. Let's hope that is the first of many good ones.

Great support for John Singleton, he lives just down the road, he had to

support his career by working in a Birkenhead resin factory. Dan Walker

caught up with him yesterday. Your story is ludicrous, you are living

the dream, every single person watching you. The more I had to

explain my story, it always seems a bit fake. That cannot be my life.

You have a whole bunch of guys from your work coming out to watch you?

You have a whole bunch of guys from your work All of my mates, I usually

play football with them on a Thursday night. Will they all wear

ginger wigs? They are. I had a conversation between some golf

fans, John Singleton goes off 90 minutes after Tiger Woods, have you

processed that? Not really. I have not really thought about it. If I

think about it I will not be able to put 80 in the ground. -- put a tee

in the ground. Dustin Johnson thought I was playing on the

European Tour, I told him I was working down the road. I'm living my

dream, I had to think, I may have to go to work next week. We wish him

well. Woods for a par at six. Nicely done. It is a sunny day all day, the

greens may gain some speed. They grow fractionally during the day,

and slow up. Garcia at eight. He was trying to fade that, just

dragged it. Spieth, cracking 1-over the corner

of the course. I hope somebody has spotted that. May not be quite as

thick as it looks. -- cracking one shot over. We don't know what it is

going to be like tomorrow, that is a huge drive from McIlroy, almost

obscene. A bit of wind forecast tomorrow. It is a question of who

can break away today. There must be a 64 or 65 on the cards. I agree

with you, Mark, there is a low score out there. They are just hitting

irons off the hole, could be difficult. That is what Tiger has

done in the last two Opens. Going down the left, should be all right.

How is he looking with his swing? Looking content? I think he looks

OK. I am not sure what the confidence is like. Not playing

much. Ashley Chesters, the amateur.

Playing rather nicely. Well, now... You noticed family people wear white

trousers, you could be confused and King this was a painter and

decorator's weekend. The white trousers. It seems popular, putting

from off the green. Sadly on the links, the fairways are almost as

quick as the greens. The aprons are cut very short. The ball can screw

off, coming back 40 yards. A bit of a Rush of blood there. That's to

save his par. Let's go up to the 18th, play

starting at 6:25am this morning, Robert Karlsson in the first match

with David Duval. Oh, no, no. David Howell is leather part, to Val is

2-over. Carlson 3-under. -- Robert Karlsson, 3-under. I love these

shots where you can see the surrounding area. It was an old

racecourse in the 1800s. Becoming a golf course in 1880. Something like

that. Luke Donald, on eight. Attempt of a birdie. Not completely happy.

He looks a good parted-macro. Good parted-macros always looked like

good parted-macros, you never see a quirky one. -- good'

-- good putters always look like good ones, never quirky ones. That

is Rickie Fowler, never sure about is -- his hat. Oliver Cromwell used

to have one like that. In she goes. is -- his hat. Oliver Cromwell used

For -- four them at 3-under. Has done a great job of changing his

swing, from my experience I can tell you that is not easy. A good three

ball this one. Donald, Garcia, Fowler. This is to stay at 3-under.

He uses this right-hand grip, lining it up. Then he does that. You have

two practice. You can do all sorts of funny things. -- have to

practice. It is called the claw, lots of people use it on the senior

Tour. Do they? A conservative strategy does not always pay off,

Spieth hitting in iron, this is now his fifth shot. He was in the deep

rough. Hitting out, back to where you see him now. A putt for a six.

The FedEx Cup ranking is a points system the US Tour uses to qualify

for the season ending jamboree going on for a few weeks. I get's second

shot at the 7th. McIlroy only taking a practice stroke on the long

putts. Pretty aggressive. It is odd, just to practice on the longer ones.

That was a reasonable length. I wonder what the cut-off point is?

Practice stroke and no practice stroke. The evergreen Jim Furyk for

a birdie. That is a gobbler. He has his faithful retainer with him.

Their areas. -- there he is. Nice total for Robert Karlsson, to take

the lead on his own. Oh, lovely putt. A very good start though.

Cannot complain about a 69. Finishing your day's work at 10:45

a.m.. All happening on the back nine. After being all over the

place, just manages a bogey. Damage limitation, a pretty good effort.

Act to 1-under. -- he goes back to 1-under.

Scott Drummond is down with these three, what is going on? They are

just checking the wind, it has changed. Suddenly started blowing

from the South West. It was an easterly. Just unsettling Garcia

little bit. Garcia has been doing what Woods has

been doing, hitting irons. Playing very conservatively, trying to take

the bunkers out of play. His iron play has been solid. Do you think

that is the right tactic? Difficult to find birdies? It depends how

confident they are with their short two-minute irons. -- short to mid

irons. It depends how confident they are with their irons and drivers. I

remember Lee Trevino could always hit his drive their right to left.

He has still got the wrong club there. I think it can get into your

brain box if you sense there is a bit of wind, not enough to make any

considerable difference. Matsuyama, winning Memorial earlier on in the

States this year. He got a couple of shots for slow play last year, I

imagine he would have cut a few things out of his pre-shot routine.

Rory McIlroy. He knocks those in at a good pace. Confident pace. He

could have been around for or 5-under, some wonderful iron shots.

Let's join Ken, he's down on the sixth. It is the first par three,

200 one yards, always tricky. Elevated green, like an upturned

wok. You can get into all sorts of trouble. You have to come in with a

high flight, left or right. That bunker is a demon, have to avoid

that. A high-flying shots. If it lands softly, you end up with a

plug. This right-hand side, you can use it as a cushion, coming onto the

green. A level two green, if the pin is at the back, you have to let it

skip up. If you hit on the left, you are in trouble, it trickles down. If

you go out the flags, you have to be pinpoint accurate. Short order left,

all sorts of trouble. That little cushion on the right-hand side gives

you a chance. Perfect for a high ball player, not so easy if you come

in low. There you have it, straight from the horse's mouth. When I first

played this hole, there was out of bounds, 15 feet off the left-hand

side of the green. A low mound, they moved it away, putting bunkers down

the left-hand side. It was a terrifying hole. Matsuyama, first

up, he has a 6-iron. Four par threes coming in a run of ten macro

holes. -- run of ten holes. A long way for a six. I thought it was. 200

yards with a 6-iron, a bit ambitious stop Tiger. This for his birdie.

After a solid mid-iron. The same club for McIlroy, trying to

fly this in over the right-hand bunker, sweeping into the centre of

the green. He has played about four or five

superb iron shots. Only holing one putt. You just keep plugging away,

they will drop. A beautiful shot. The ninth green, Rickie Fowler. Oh,

no! What a great ship. -- chip. The turf is so good, you can hit a great

strike. Speed has a 5-iron. -- Spieth.

These two have been a good pair together, pretty well since Rory

turned pro, even in his amateur days. There is deep analysis there.

We go to Garcia, this for his birdie. That is a good one. Three

par fives left to get back in a good score. Marc Warren. Played well last

week. Playing well still. Taking him into the red figures. Looking very

calm. The full glory of the course at

Hoylake. A very attractive village, dare we say it. Looks bigger than a

village, all sorts of interesting shots, cafes. -- stores.

That one goes all the way. There is an artists' exhibition on the Main

Street, all sorts of painters, around ?120, lovely display of local

art. Tiger lashing one at the 8th. In play, but it looks hard work. His

swing looks violent today. Tickets are still available at the gate, the

first day. Any 16-year-olds accompanied by an adult come in for

nothing. All sorts of things to enjoy in the tented village. A bit

different from days ago, not quite so interesting, in my opinion. They

used to have all sorts of things, motor cars, jewellers. Could do

little more with that lie. So easy to drop shots, a whisker off-line,

drop one. It is indeed. With virtually no wind, that was a fairly

poor made iron for Spieth. The Institute of Green Keepers are here,

they do wonderful work. This is a par fire today, the wind coming in

off the right, slightly helping him possibly. If your caddy does not

know where the Windies, he will say it is swirling fools of -- where the

wind is, he will say, it is swirling. Did not see it bounce.

Here is the par-5/10, 532 yards. Not too much in the way of bunkers, one

side or the other. The second shot is the difficult one, the green is

elevated, deep bunker on the right, you can be left with a difficult

chip. A reasonably straightforward par five. Garcia missing the fairway

with the first time he has used to drive -- driver. Well done. He has

played well this year the 36-year-old Japanese player. There

are good players all around the world coming out of the woodwork.

That is the old clubhouse, several ones on this coastline have similar

designs. Grand old Victorian monsters. Cabrera. He has started to

play a bit more conservatively. That is interesting, Peter, he has been

the aggressive one so far, the other two were aggressive, he get the

iron, leaving him 170 yards left. Needs to get this one as high as

possible. You can see him trying to cut it, a bit of a Bernard Langer

finished. That flag is not easy to get out, you can see it just over

the bunker. On the back slope. Up the slope, the putt flattens out,

this for birdie. Well done. That is well-deserved. He has peppered the

flag so far today. 3-under. After Tiger's aggression off the tee, the

first chance to attack the hole position. It can't be terrible,

there is some applause. It just stayed out on the right. I'm not

sure he should have been that wide, there was not that much wind. It

sounds as if it may be freshening a little bit. The flag is barely

moving. When play started, at 6:30 a.m., it was absolutely breathless.

Stenson, level par. A big lofted club, thumping it at

the flag. Stop, yes. That is the advantage of hitting a 3-wood off

the tee, going with the sand wedge, really attacking it.

Jim Furyk has a putt to go to 3-under par.

APPLAUSE Like Old Father Thames, he keeps

rolling along! He does, in fact Jim Furyk had a

top-five finish here last time. There he is:

27 men under par so far. Mr Mr Karlsson's progress started to

motor on the back-nine today. He's had his problems over the past few

years, chipped in at the 12th. Out by the estuary. That would take

him to 1-under par. A man who had to pull out two years

ago, couldn't even swing the club, made this short putt at the short

15th to take him 2-under. He would follow it up in his 17th Open start

by negotiating the 16th in style. This is his third shot. That will be

good enough to set up another birdie. An opening round of 69. An

early leader in the clubhouse after an early start. He's talking to

Russell. Very well played and well worth

getting out of bed for. It was very nice. It was a beautiful morning out

there. The greens were rolling beautifully, no winds, very nice.

You made the back nine easier than the front nine - was that the

reality? Whatever the wind is, it is south-easterly, so slightly

down-wind. Kit be tricky like on 12 and 14 and you can still get up on

the par-5. I would think it will be more on the back than the front.

What was the routine for you this morning before your 6. 25am tee off.

Did you have a Swedish breakfast. I did. I got up at 4am. I was in bed

early and slept well. It is the first time for a long, long time I

am up in July and it is dark in the morning. That is a very bad sign! It

was well worth it. Well played today. Nice to see him back.

Rory McIlroy now driving at the 7th. Do you know, I have never seen him

off-balance. He hits it very hard - he's beautifully balanced.

He's a wonderful player, isn't he? It is a beautiful action. He's had a

decent year. He's had some fantastic rounds. Just one poor score.

Garcia, in trouble! The women faced that last week at

Royal Birkdale and it is brutal stuff when you get a mixture of long

grass and a thick base, clumpy at the bottom. You have to drag it back

through the stalks and manage to accelerate the club through and it

takes an awful lot of power. This putt should break a little to

the right for Tiger's bird attempt, here on the 8th hole.

A good try. Needed it closer than that thosmt that's the bottom line.

He lies up sometimes a long way back. He hit a 3-wood there. He

should have got the wedge a bit closer.

He thought he'd got it, I think. For a moment, he thought it was in. He

was about to say, "Yes," now, he's thinking, no! The pain, the pain!

Tiger Woods and Henrik Stenson seem to be having a very similar tactic.

The advantage for Stenson, he can hit this long iron so high and get

them to stop so quickly, which is what Tiger could do at one stage.

This is a birdie attempt for Stenson.

He'sed a about -- he's had about three or four of those already

today. I get confused, players seem to be more interested in going to

the gym and getting power. Of Seve and Howard, they were the best

strikers I saw. They both had back troubles and they were saving their

backs and playing more gentle golf. That is when I thought they played

their best golf, the same as Tiger. When he tries to bash it he seems to

get it out of the way and they seem to go right. If he gripped the club

lighter and swung gentle... S I don't know! Just a thought. He seems

to be keen to work in the gym than hit it straight.

The par-5 should be no worse than a par. Oh, if it stops and it does.

And it's off. That's cruel. So nearly a good one.

What you were saying about going to the club and all that, I think Tiger

could do with swinging smoother. Seems to be in his own way and then

out of his own way. It is swinging slower through the ball. I remember

that quote 100 years ago - don't hit at the ball, swing through the ball.

And if you hit at it, you sometimes get a bit of a snatch and a pull.

Oh, this is awkward! The Australian, Matt Jones. This is

on the final hole. Oh, what a shot! Brilliant! Absolute brilliance!

No-one more surprised than him! That's a nice way to finish from

plus-1 to -1. Great tough!

-- great stuff! It's been a fantastic morning so

far. Five players at 3-under. The telling statistic really is there's

about another dozen on 2-under, which means these players are on the

verge of pretty much tearing this course apart, as they move into the

back nine and three par-5s. Winds staying light. The ball travelling a

long way in the warmth. Spectators burning up.

There's the leaderboard: Luke Donald here on 10, after a miss

judged 3rd shot. At 50 feet. These boys made a hash of their

shots, Garcia and Donald. That is a pretty good putt though.

I am amazed at the preparation for our championship now. When I played,

moans ago, it seemed -- moons ago, it seemed huge. Now you look at the

bits and pieces that go into it, from first aid, spectator movement

around the course. It is a huge operation. Beautifully done. Not a

good result there. A huge press room now.

Everything is A huge press room now.

able. I read in the paper this morning, congratulation, well

premature to Hazel they say in one of the racer papers, he might become

a member of the R and As. That is terrific news. Although I may be the

800th oldest person in the world, I may still be employed by the BBC in

2016. Perhaps it is all a little

premature! Rickie Fowler, this to take the lead

on his own. The 10th green. 480 yards. A long par-4, 7th. Not a

cloud in the... Oh, nasty! Unlucky! To safe his par -- save his par...

What's normal the 17th here, this is the 10th. One slip on the par-5.

That is a big mistake for surge yo. -- Sergio.

It is all a combination of things. It can usually put it back to the

tee shot. Some magnificent houses here and

along down to the water. A touch of class.

390 yard, 11th. If the wind gets behind you can have a go at this

green, but today probably not. Just leave yourself with a pitch to the

green. Even off an iron it is only a wedge. So a question of how far you

want in. There is the front right. Probably an iron up the left side is

ideal. Back into the wind today, this hole,

playing different to the practise round yesterday.

Now McIlroy, a long putt. A little bit unlucky. That's got to turn down

the hill. It's doing well. APPLAUSE

McIlroy taps it in and continues his very smooth journey.

Three under. What's all this then? I tell you

what, there's something for everyone. It looks like a posh but

lins! -- Butlins. Oh, a champagne bar! Red

and white tents missing this year. The Bollinger boys. They have been

here many a moon. But never mind, you can still get a glass of the

fizzy stuff! Ken Brown and Andrew Cotter will

take you on while we just watch Garcia.

Not a bad start to the day, Ken. Well, you couldn't get a more

idyllic way of the way the weather has performed. It is perfect.

The grass just slightly vibrating in the lightest of light breezes. You

still have to play some very good golf if you are going to weedle out

some birdies. This 9th hole is down-breeze.

Should move a little right. Two bogeys to start the day and that

one in the 5th. Out in 36. 35 and 37.

Tiger Woods remains 1-over. Manassero there, talking about young

talents. He's not had his customary one win a year yet.

Glorious conditions but the course is holding up OK. There are a few

good scores. No-one Good is to see him back after a

couple of wrist operations and in that big group on 3 under par.

11th and Rickie Fowler has laid up short of the little hump that runs

through the fairway. 159 for Fowler. Back into a puff of breeze.

A little unlucky. Often gathers from there. That did stop remarkably

quickly. Luke four yards closer.

A semi-blind shot. They are just seeing the top of the flag from

where they are. Pulls from his left. OK. Ten on five from the right,

quite tight to the right-hand bunker. Pulled it left.

Nine iron for Garcia. 146. I think he tried to get it up on top from

the tee. Rolled it back down, so another semi-blind shot for Garcia,

but the middle of the fairway. A slightly better angle, the further

left you hit your tee shot. It is a little easier to get it to the front

right pin. A decent line to come into that. A

couple of lose ones in the last couple of holes.

532 yards in range for anyone who finds the fairway. A little 3-wood.

If he hits a divot out, he makes sure he won't hook it. Just clipping

the turf. The second week back after your injury, missing the cup in a

previous start, it will be a big ask for Tiger Woods.

That is the marine lake. It is on a circular path.

It is a nice area around here. It is a hidden little gem.

Now Mark Warren got in here because of the Open at Aberdeen. Birdied the

first. Very nicely done! Very nice for

Warren. He's playing alongside John Singleton now. This one here will

test Garcia. Garcia with a, a little bit of a

darker pitch here. Delightfully played! Look, jumping

for joy! Did so well. Just a bit of pace.

I so enjoy watching Garcia play. This one here will test... Plenty of

green to play, but a wonderful touch. Only a wedge from McIlroy,

who has so far given us a wonderful display of iron play. Crisp,

delicate shots. You have to pin-point at this flag

and he's done well. A delightful iron, covering the flag again. Rory

is right on top form. He is. He's one of eight men

co--leading on 3-under par. He is playing beautifully. Yesterday

he played with Darren Clarke in practise. The 2011 champion has lost

four stones and nine inches of his waist line. The older man had to

stump up the cash. No doubt Rory shouted down. There it is. Well

played Rory. It could be a rather larger pay cheque at the end of this

week. It's not the money. It's not the cash. The amount is irrelevant.

With all that money in the bank, ?20 of my hard-earned cash!

Those are the most precious ones tpros. -- the Pros.

Fowler on the 11th. A chance for him to get to four.

That log jam at 3-under at the moment.

A par-5 downbreeze. Cabrera-Bello going with this second shot.

Woods and Stenson, in good shape n the same group.

Jordan Spieth is certainly keeping the bunker extremely busy in this

match. It is his fourth visation to the sand in -- visitation.

238 yards left. We start to get into the sand dunes part. And the next

six holes are sensational. It is the best part of the golf course. A

little bit of breeze helping the second shot.

A rise up to the green from there where Cabrera and Woods are.

All sorts of issues with his back this season.

Such fine style in 2010. Big boy Stenson, does have a 5-iron

out now. Just conferring a little bit again. What is the play here,

Phil? You can land it short and run it in. When you have a 5-iron and

hit it as high as Stenson. You think, I can fly it all the way and

get it to stop. That's the advantage he does have.

He's given that so much height. Oh, stay there! Oh, he's been

fortunate, although he was a little unlucky. That did come down very

softly from the height. He's giving himself every

opportunity. He's had chances. While he was out of position on the 4th,

every other hole he's had birdie chances.

And taken a few drivers out. He's attack some holes more defensive

than others. Late holes, 3-under. This to join that join on 3-under

par. Plefrgetsty of players -- plenty

over players are under par. The final hole for Marc Leishman.

A round of 69 and he joins the top of the leaderboard. Nicely done.

Hideki Matsuyama, this to lead on his own.

APPLAUSE Got his first victory on the PGA

this year, where he won the Memorial Tournament.

His name I am informed means "pine mountain." A great group this,

Matsuyama and McIlroy. rugby international Andy Nicol who

is also a keen golfer. It seems quite soon -- it was great recently

that Paul Lawrie one, 15 years ago. There are some good young players

but Paul Lawrie 's game is not there is it could've been a few years ago.

The challenge will come from Stephen Gallacher. He is in the mix for the

Ryder Cup. He played well at Royal Aberdeen and he likes golf. He is

really consistent. I have got an each way bet on him. Do you know the

tale of the golden pineapples? It used to be a racetrack around the

course. They did golf and horse racing at the same time. Kos

Liverpool was a global port, they thought they would give the winning

jockey a sign of that heritage and the prize was a pineapple and for

that reason they are golden pineapples either side of the

practice putting green. Tiger Woods of the slope at the

10th. That is a better view of the elevation that he is facing.

Tiger did not hit a ball for a couple of months. Just some parting

so his parting should be in good shape. John McLaren with his

familiar socks beside Luke Donald. This is not as big a dogleg on the

12 as it is on 14. It popped into the ear and landed 20

yards short. There's a definite delay at the top

of swing for Hideki Matsuyama. That is some executive landing to get the

best of the traffic. Onto Rory McIlroy. It will be looking for

action as it hits the green. Very nice. It is about 193 yards

covered by an 8-iron. They do somebody is that is lifting behind

the players. -- that is some disease.

It is so easy to do that, the kit out to the right. -- move it out to

the right. What is the body language for Tiger?

What is the body lying is like for Tiger? He is being very patient. --

body language. that he marks to help. A lot of the

players do that. He gathered that up and it seemed a

nice straight. Wonderfully played. The rough on the left of banking is

as bad as any around the course. That was a gem. Stephen Gallacher

has a chance for a body on Hall six. He defended his title in to buy and

he is looking very good for a place in the Ryder Cup team. There are 11

players tied at 3-under. -- in Dubai.

He is casting very hard to get back to his former place in the game. He

is casting very hard to get back to his former place in the game. Each

that he is working hard. You sometimes do not work on the short

game quite as hard. It happens to a lot of players. Just attempting to

nip this one onto the parting suffers.

Wonderful touch from that distance from Sergio Garcia. He looks are now

very happy place both off and on the course at the moment. -- he looks

like he is now in a very happy place. He just had that one blemish.

He leads the PGA Tour en/average place. He just had that one blemish.

this season. -- on stroke average. Another man to have it on a 69,

conditions look idyllic but it is easy for me to see that sitting

here. How did you find it? Conditions are perfect. This is

basically no wind and the greens are perfect. 69 was a good start. Nice

to be under-par. This is your fourth crack at the Open Championship, you

have not had an enormous amount of success, that he had to play in

difficult conditions? I have played in some difficult conditions. I

played at Saint Andrews in early and did not do anything at the end of

the week. It was good to get out the elderly and put a good score on the

board for the first round. Hopefully I can change my open record. I am

ready for the winter. -- get out early. I expect to hit quite a few

wind shots elderly -- later in the week. Very well done. Thank you very

much. He stays at nine -- he stays at

3-under par but a very tidy first nine holes.

Tiger with the ion of the key on the 11th. It is a rolling fairway. --

iron on he came through the many points list

on the Japanese Tour. He took his chance nicely. He has played in

three opens before but he has missed the cut every time. That is a round

of 69. Rickie Fowler. He is now at 4-under.

Five foot nine and just over ten stone in weight. His game has been

tweaked and he looks very good. He looks to have patented up a little

bit. -- to have tightened it up. It often rolls back but today he has

been lucky. 181 yards into the winter for Sergio Garcia.

There was a little hop onto the parting syrup -- parting suffers.

This is a tricky pin. The bunkers should not be in play. The code

looks like they are ten deeper. -- the Kuroda.

That was generous applause from somebody. It is a lovely part of the

course. You can see the estuary. It is tucked away on its own, this

hall. It is beautifully staged. You open the grandstands and it is given

in front of them. -- it is given. The stands are very steep. It just

adds to the atmosphere on the final hole. For all of the planning that

goes into placing the stands just to make sure people get the best view.

Wonderful shot. It is needed after a tap in birdie. -- it is near enough.

This is the shortest hole on the course. It can be very friendly, the

15th. There are a few bunkers around here. He is into that group on

3-under. There are some desirable residences

down near. Those houses must be very nice places to live.

That had beautiful weight behind it. It is ten years ago now that he won

the Dunhill links. He obviously knows how to get it done on links

golf. He has never been in the top ten at a major and he's not been any

American Majors very much. When the ball leaves the pitching

wedge from Tiger Woods, it is travelling at 1200 rpm.

That was Rickie Fowler 's body attend at the 13th. He is a leader

at the moment. -- birdie attempt. He struck it well, he struck it did

very well. Tiger. Business as usual. This is just a bit of a spring in

his step. It has been a struggle so far today.

Sergio Garcia joins Rickie Fowler, the two men at the top of the

leaderboard playing together, helping each other along. Sergio

Garcia looks in very good shape indeed. Get ready for the Canadian

year low on Sunday. -- canary yellow.

There are currently 36 players under-par.

Not his finest from Rory McIlroy but it has been a good front nine for

the Northern Irishman. Brooks Koepka really does hurt at a

country mile. He has got a broad shoulders. He is playing with Rory

McIlroy and he has hit it past Rory McIlroy on a couple of occasions.

This hall was harder than 2006 because everything was bouncing

towards those bunkers on the right-hand side. The fairways are

much more yielding than they were last year, the ball is landing

pretty softly. The wind seems to be strengthening just a little bit.

This is where Tiger Woods holed out with a four I am back in 2006. Here

are all of the tee shots down this hall.

They would for Rickie Fowler. That is another example of the softness

of the fairways. That is not running at all. Rory McIlroy has to get up

quite a slope. He is looking very good, very

impressive. He is plotting a little bit up the

slope. -- parting. It is the simple list of bodies. He moves to 1-under

par. 230,000 they had back in 2006. Only Saint Andrews has had more

people attend. To finish off with a body, Rory

McIlroy played a delicious chip from the left-hand side. It was not an

easy shot but he'd made it look easy. Another great birdie.

Five way tie at the top and Rory McIlroy is one of those.

Things are starting to shape up a little bit better for Tiger Woods.

Five way tie at the top at 4-under. He knows it went left and he was

hoping for the kick. It is not too bad, it got out of the thick stuff.

fairway. But he's blind to this tight pin.

The softness of the bounce. A good time to bring in Mark James. Thanks

for that. Who's he been working with on his swing? Do you know? Yes,

Butch Harman. He lost his previous instructor a few years ago. He sadly

passed away. Luke Donald in a prime position in

the fairway. 158 for Donald. Clear view of the flag. A little bit of

breeze. Possibly as strong as it has been all day, but nothing too

significant at this stage. Donald, another player who has

attempted to change his swing. It doesn't look as different as

Fowler's. Tried to turn the arms with the shoulders more instead of

on separate plains. No reward just yet, but...

We are going to move over to the range and Ricky is there with Brandt

Snedeker. How excited are you about taking on

Hoylake? Excited. Judging by the weather forecast I have seen,

getting it today. It will get tough over the weekend. I am excited. I

love coming over here. Seen every condition there has been. There are

some low scores out there. If you hit the ball in the right spot. It

is fun. I will let you crack on. Thank you. Snedeker was well

positioned a few years ago in Lytham St.Anne's.

You can see all the undulations around the 14th green and mark that

roll-off on that right side, always to be avoided. Absolutely. They have

done a lot of that. They have created more of these roll-off

areas. Any part of the green that goes down at the side, they have

shaved it to fairway length. They have made it slightly tougher for

the players. What you see on the right there, there is a mound and

they have let the grass grow. It toughens the grass up a fraction.

A chance for a birdie for Stenson, on the 12th.

Move a little left. He's hit the ball so well. Just not

making putts. I was not expecting this. Look at this! My word! He's

not been putting great. He's hit the ball sensationally, but that is

something else. As they say in the States, he's

de-greened it. That is in a pretty impressive fashion. Completely

blanked out. Back to 14.

Garcia finished in a good spot here. Out with the putter again because

the fringes are so pure. As good as most greens at most clubs. Just over

30-35 feet here for Garcia. And Scott, they seem to have learnt from

Stenson at the US Open, putting off the green. Yes, the fringes are so

pure, there's hardly any blem mishs. They -- blemishes.

They are happy to take the putter out.

Luke Donald, with his birdie attempt.

I think Luke was very surprised there when he got up and saw how far

past the flag his ball had finished. He thought he'd hit a better shot.

Still a birdie chance for him. The pace is good.

Just drifted at the end. Now, Rory... Nice little launch pad

for McIlroy. Into the breeze, 9-iron, a bunker waiting on the

right. Did you see where that went, Mo?

That is 15-20 yards short of the green. It calm into some very heavy

rough. Ed to carry another -- needed to carry another 15 yards. Don't

know if he mis-hit or not. So, after all the wait, and all the

absence from the game, a red number goes up alongside Tiger Woods.

The sort of putt that looks fast with the slope from the green beyond

the hole. The easy par-3, 15th to come and

then two par-5s in the last three, so every chance of five, six, even

7-under. Scores are matching the weather so

far. It is pretty hot and this is the way it looks. We have seven of

them at 4-under par. Let's remind you of the story of

Edoardo's round. He has this to go 3-under for the day. There it goes.

The side door, but they all count. Now his approach to the 18th. This

is the last of the par-4 fives here at Liverpool. This would yield the

last of his birdie opportunities as well. He would take it and the

former Ryder Cup player in the mood to make up for lost time in this

event. Here he comes. On to the 18th. Two from there and that's a

round of 68 from Edoardo. A good day indeed. Let's get his thoughts with

Russell. A 68 to begin Open Championship week

and nearly finished in fabulous style with that eagle putt on the

18th. I hit the ball very well today. It was a great finish. Birdie

the last three. I think there's no wind out there today. It is probably

the easiest the course will play all week. I think I hit the ball really

well and it gave me a lot of chances. It was good to finish with

two birdies out of the last two par-5s. Could you afford to attack

the course? Do you have to be cautious because this is set up for

an Open Championship after all? I think it's very important that you

keep the ball in play, off the tee especially, because the banks are

still and some of the players were difficult to get to. Some of the

times you were playing for the middle of the green. You have a lot

of patience out here. Take your chances and hit the holes and putts.

When the sun shines the spectators are in a good voice. It seems like a

fantastic atmosphere out there? It is fantastic. Any time you play an

Open, it is unbelievable. There are a lot of people. I think with the

good scoring as well, they are enjoying it as well. We wish you

well for the rest of the week. Thank you very much.

So a little bump and run. That guarantees Rory's part and that was

a good 15-20 yards short. Edoardo Molinari playing in his

fifth Open Championship. Speaking of amateurs, Ashley

Chesters, wrapping up. Speaking of amateurs, Ashley

The 24-year-old, won the European Amateurs last year. That is a nice

performance today. What looks like what used to be a

bunker many years ago, and Jordan Spieth...

APPLAUSE The golf course just set up

perfectly today. Push some of the flags, a little tough, perhaps put

them a yard or two close tore the edges because of the weather

forecast. -- closer to the edges because of the weather forecast.

Still littered with red numbers. Jim Furyk going through his regular

routine. Did you say "irregular? " He's

trying to continue the run of 40-somethings. You never know, this

year, Furyk might add to that. This is one of three over 40s in the

top ranks. Now Tiger. Trying to hit a fairly heavy draw.

What a wonderful shot! APPLAUSE

Moving it across the green to that pin position. A nicely-shaped shot.

This was the easiest of the par-3s back in '06.

Quite a long way out in the club there. I don't know if the wind is

starting to pick up a little, but not before time if it is. This is

Hideki Matsuyama. -- Matteo Mannassero.

This for a birdie. Oh, yes, a lovely putt from Matteo. Go to 4-under.

Former tour player is caddying for him. Alberto is 50 in a couple of

months and he'll try his hand on the senior tour next year.

We have three bunkers standing guard down the right-hand side here,

covering 30 yards. Miss them, but be as far right as

you can to get the best view into the green and that is a great shot

from Rory. There used to be a bunker on the left side that was taken out

from '06. He's popular wherever he plays now,

Rory. Tonnes of people are following this

group. Jordan Spieth is next to play. His

caddie's yard book is blowing around in the wind. Just a little bit of a

draft, but really a pleasant day and these players have to consider that

the moment it is nothing than a par-68. They have to make their

scores while the conditions are this good.

That is right at the bunkers. Rough not ridiculously severe.

Patchy in places. You can be very lucky, but you can be unlucky.

There's a ribbon of fairway here that when you get opposite the first

bunk oren the right it is 26 yards wide. It is on an gel, so it plays

-- on an angle, so it plays much narrower.

That is miles off-line. Good to hear them shout, though.

It's been a wicked front nine for Poulter, as you can see. Out on 49.

So, maybe just two putts and get one of them back here.

Correct that! What about getting two back?

APPLAUSE The Englishman playing at home.

Garcia with a pretty treacherous putt here. It is one of those putts

that the more he goes left, the more it will break for him. 45 feet.

Looking just to roll this one up within the dustbin lid. He would be

quite happy with that. Stenson had made a mess, a double

bogey-six. It might explain why that putt was a little timid.

Probably still confused as to how he made double bogey when he was on the

green in two and had to fair them. Phil, a chance for three in a row

here. I was going to say, we're back to business as usual. He was out for

four months, played two competitive rounds of golf. Played it

conservative earlier on. He seems to have loosened up and a putt like

this. Normally Tiger doesn't miss this type of putt. Boy, if he does,

he's not happy. His start, bogeying the first two holes. Yes, I know.

Well, he bogeyed the first when he won her, was it 2006 -- won here,

was it 2006? What is interesting with Tiger is you get the hole

position on the left and he drew that one in. It landed the middle of

the green. It worked towards the hole. He does the same if the hole

is on the right. He feeds it in. A lot of players do not do that. Tiger

can get close to some positions very easily.

A lovely putt. APPLAUSE

2-under. Back in touch. It is only the first

round today, but really you don't want to be over 70. At pretty much

the most, I would say, when you look at the scores at the end of the day.

It will be massive, fours, fives. It is amazing, to be out of the game

that long and you get a sniff he's hitting in the right direction. Now

Rickie Fowler. By far his worst putt of the day.

He's not sure of the line stroke, that one.

Now Luke Donald, this is for a bogey. What's been happening, Scott?

Well, he's looking to clean this one up. He was in the left trap.

A very tough bunker shot. Where this pin is today, it is hard to get

close, as you can seen Rickie pin is today, it is hard to get

taking three putts as well. It is a pretty good way to enjoy the

golf. Obviously, nonalcoholic. What a surprise - a fight back from

Poulter. His wrists are taped up. More

precautionary. One birdie and all pars up to this

point. Looks solid. Will it get there? No. A couple

under. Playing with the former champion

from 2009 and Patrick Reed, an up and coming young American.

If 4-iron many years ago. This is my favourite hole, the 14th, dog leg.

Right-to-left. And into the breeze today.

Way too far left. We saw the spread of the drives on the graphics

earlier. I am pretty sure everyone over there made bogey. That is not

the place to be blind second shot. I was exz pecting maybe a little --

expecting maybe a little more club into this breeze today. The second

shot can be fairly demanding. The crowd seemed happy with it. He's

smiling. The player's badge pinned to his

hat. So many of the players keep it there.

Here's Stenson. It is a good beat with dha 5-iron.

He's forced that up to the edge, which is a very good result indeed.

More than the front edge. A birdie chance now. That was a really good

shot. Well McIlroy was the only one of

these three to find the prepared surface. He has 153 yards left, into

this green, that is shaped rather like a policeman's helmet I has a

severe drop away on the right-hand side. This is an 8-iron he's going

with. It would make sense. Certainly not a

big one. A pretty good shot.

APPLAUSE The driver out.

Two par-5s here. Tla looks like that has laced down

the -- that looks like that has laced down the middle.

Also in the group, Rickie Fowler. Just hovers that driver before he

starts to take away. This one - hopefully it has avoided

the thick stuff. If it is in the trampled down area, it might be all

right. Hopefully it didn't hit that gentleman on the leg.

Just a flesh wound, I think, I am sure he's seen worse.

Dan Walker is lurking around somewhere. We hope you are enjoying

our coverage of the 134rd Open Championship this year. It is your

opportunity to tell us who you think will win the Claret Jug at the end

of the weekend. We have some options on the screen for you. You can vote

by the BBC website or tweeting, using one of those hashtags. If you

don't think we have chosen the right players you can

Full terms and conditions are on the BBC Sport website. No Claret Jugs up

for grabs, just the pride of you knowing what you are talking about.

And if you go to full terms and conditions, I think you have a

little too much time on your hands. Tiger, left rough.

Phil, this should be a real test for the back. We know it has been rehab.

This is going to need a full blow from here.

The ball is at least two inches off the ground. You couldn't tee it up

any better. Very fortunate. 179 yards left. Completely blind into

the breeze. It has teed up. He has swung like it

was six inches down. It looked like it came out a trifle hot.

Interference on the line. We apologise if anything was picked

up there. Now, Cabrera after a great tee shot. Hitting up the slope, into

the breeze. The right hole position.

185 yards. He's been playing well lately,

Cabrear. Finding this course -- Cabrera.

Finding this course, sometimes you feel tired. Sometimes when you feel

great, the opposite. Spieth has single putted seven of

the opening 11 greens. Avoiding his player's wide line

there, if you wonder why he's got the stance. Very much a tour move,

that. Second shot for Stenson.

A little bit of aggression you can make these shows so short.

Even a shot like that, you should not make mistakes. That is a full

six feet below the level of the surface.

Now Matsuyama bearing down at 12. Well, he really did have a poor

chip. It wasn't the worst lie I have ever seen. This will come from his

left to right. This is quite a speedy putt. He's standing on the

high ets part of the green. -- highest part of the green.

If Rory McIlroy is feeling confident, he can afford to get it

with a bit of pace. We will go to 18. We have one

Molinari in the clubhouse. I wonder who will pick up the dinner

tab tonight? It will not be the caddies. Sergio

Garcia after that perfect drive. Just hung on to it. Was trying to

feed it in, it did not move. Another player that has reached the

par-5, how can we forget what he did at St Andrews?

It was amazing, so long and so Street. Reminiscent of Rory McIlroy.

Some of these boys have raised the bar on accuracy.

He was forced to bump and run it up the hill. Excellent shot.

That is the practice putting green right in front of the clubhouse. I

think this was built in 1895. It has been refurbished since. It is a

lovely spot. The last play today is six minutes

past four. As you can see, the leader is

5-under. We will have a look at him in a

minute as he goes to the 13th. Tiger played safe with his chip

shot. It was almost impossible, and he now has this one to try and save

par. He did not even go for the chip

shot. It was too scary. How about that one? It shows how the

television flattens things off a little bit. Three birdies in a row

and then gave one back. That will annoy him a lot. The loss of

momentum is the key. This is my favourite hole on a golf

course. He hit a fairly good tee shot coming out of this. Has to make

this one to save par. Really good save from down there.

Got away with it. It requires a bit of imagination, it

is nicknamed the Alps. Winning the Open Championship is akin to

climbing the Alps. Safely finds the surface. Each group has their own

rules official. It means they will not have a problem figuring anything

out. Nice, purposeful stride. Stephen Gallacher. This is for

eagle. That would have put him 4-under. It takes him to 3-under

when he popped back in. Has been playing some really good golf.

Long birdie opportunity for Sergio Garcia here, after getting his

bunker shot very heavy. Very disappointed with the result.

I think he completely miss read it. He misjudged the pace.

He's played some good stuff, Sergio Garcia, this year. The one he really

wants is to win this event. Or certainly a major. This would be the

best of the lot. That takes him to 4-under.

We are just littered with players on 4-under. A little shake of the head.

He's been a little off the mark today.

Has had quite a lot of pressure. He is not firing on all cylinders. It

puts pressure on the chipping and putting. Plus it is an Englishman

playing at home. Majors have not always been kind to Luke Donald. A

little test for Sergio Garcia. We saw the ball moving to the right.

This one has to be on the left edge. Much better stroke.