Day 1 Highlights Golf: The Open

It is here at last, the first day of the 145th Open Championship and I'm

sure it will be worth the wait. The 12 year weight since we were last

here at Royal Troon. This is the ninth time we've come to this corner

of the Ayrshire coast and it's a smart bet that on Sunday evening, an

American will be walking down this 18th fairway and onto the green,

taking the applause of these mighty galleries and pausing in front of

Troon's modest but rather lovely clubhouse holding the Claret Jug.

Why? The US has enjoyed a 54 year reign at Troon. Their players have

won the last six times it's been played for here.

Yes, with its famous par-3 Postage Stamp and signature 11th hole

running beside The Railway, The Old Course has sprung a few surprises

over the years but there is no surprise that another American, the

newly crowned US Open champion, Dustin Johnson, comes here as one of

the red-hot favourites. He is fancied to make it three wins in a

row this summer. He, like many others, isn't going to Rio for the

Olympics but they are clean to brave Scotland this week. What a field

this is. These are the worlds top ten players

right now and the four, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, a career-high number

two, Jordan Spieth and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy have taken it

in terms to dominate the game over the last couple of years. You could

make a case for each one of them and many more players here this week and

it is silver, not gold but they are chasing at Troon, the Claret Jug.

One of the most famous and oldest and most beautiful trophies in

sport. Last year it was Zach Johnson from Iowa who touched it to his

breast at St Andrews and he already owns a green jacket from Augusta.

How this year's Masters champion, England's Danny Willett, would like

to take this with him next year. You will remember the thrilling events

at Augusta when the Yorkshireman capped his composure as Jordan

Spieth was losing his with a brilliant round of 67. Called to the

cabin for the first winner in two decade since Nick Faldo. Targeting

his second major of the year and he had a 9:25am appointment on the

first tee, as did Ken Brown. The Masters champion is preparing to tee

off. The breeze is helping. Thinking about it, the driver out, and he's

going for it. The champion of the world. Danny Willett, the Masters

champion come up and running. Here are some of the headline attractions

in the morning group in this large field of 156. Jordan Spieth got

going alongside a fellow US Open champion, Justin Rose and the man

who got so close at Oakmont, Ireland's Shane Lowry. Danny Willett

in that power trio with Rickie Fowler still a major winner in

waiting and Jason Day, who broke his major duck last summer. And at

9:36am, McIlroy, teeing up for the first time since winning at Hoylake

alongside Matsuyama and two time Masters champ, Bubba Watson. But who

better to lead in the local boy made good, Colin Montgomerie who battled

through qualifying to return after six years away. The three-time

senior major winner hit the opening tee shot at 6:35am. All happening

just a wedge away from his family home. He made a double bogey but he

battled back, five birdies to go 3-under at the turn. You make your

score in the first nine and you protect it coming in. This was a

gimme birdie on the first the Johnson. Fellow American Patrick

Reed kick-started his round on the third. This one, straight in for

eagle. He went to 2-under par and picked up more on watcher, six and

seven with birdies to go 4-under par. Colin Montgomerie gave back a

shot on 11th and tried not to leak another one on the 13th -- on four.

This is a par putt and a half. Still 2-under, Monty. Chapman is proving

to be a real player this year and the Californian, lapping up the

Scottish Sun with a birdie on his first in his debut. Justin Thomas

ripping up the front nine, getting birdie on the first four and here is

another one on the seventh to move to the head of the field, 5-under

par. Amat has made huge headlines at St Andrews last year. -- amateurs.

Only two this year, and Scott Gregory won the amateur Championship

last month. His fourth birdie of the Day coming on ten, 4-under par, a

dream start for the 21-year-old. Light winds, sunshine, perfect

morning and look who's making the most of it. Six Americans on the

leaderboard. For Bjorn Alderson, coming here ranked as the 200-1

outsider. -- for Bjorn Alderson two Tour Bjorn

is the opening day of the Championship, watched by Andrew

Cotter, Ken Brown, Mark James and Peter Alliss. COMMENTATOR: Thank

you, welcome to Royal Troon. For the up team playing of this great

Championship and it's the most glorious day, or it was when I

picked from under the covers at about 5:20am, eager not to miss Mr

Colin Montgomerie's opening tee shot and the next few days are going to

be very different in terms of the weather. Play begun from 6:35am.

McIlroy. Here he is, and now he is at the 2nd holed. He drove to the

left on the first, finding a bunker, but made the putt for par and looks

like he'll do the same thing here. The opening three holes that very

simple, under 400 yards. Jimmy Walker. 2-under par, he's only

played four holes. A birdie putt and easy, what a lovely game it is on a

day like this, with the greens running true. 3-under par. McIlroy

is trying to finish off with par on the second holed. A good save --

hole. Jordan Spieth hit two beautiful

shots onto this fourth green. This is the three. I don't think he's

given it enough. He is assured four and a birdie, the first of the day.

Bubba Watson on the tee, you can see the close proximity to the beach. It

really is a golf course by the sea, here at Troon. That's a huge tee

shot, scampering down the fairway. Is it going to reach the green? It

could be a one, this could be the longest in history. Sorry about

that, did I drive through you? I didn't think I could reach! Now,

Justin Rose, the home hero. Great things expected this week. Justin's

supporters. Wiggling to the right. Steady.

Not the best swing from Justin Thomas, his second shot to ten. I

think something put him off. Rickie Fowler on the third, second shot

over the back. This is quite a lengthy chip for three. More

realistically, up and down for par. What they three -- a free. That will

get the blood pumping. -- a three. After that we at second shot from

Justin Thomas he's been left with this. Not much more he can do apart

from log it on -- lob it on and get within 20 feet. Elevated green,

running off on both sides, so he'll be careful it didn't run off. Bubba

Watson, after that majestic tee shot on the 382 yard par-4. This is for

two. Oh, Bubba. Bubba! The wind is freshening and Ken has been out to

see how it can affect play. I do like to be beside the seaside

and Troon is by the seaside, as you'd expect, there's a bit of wind

about. Let's have a look at the plan of the golf course. The clubhouse is

way in the distance. The opening nine holes, let's have a look at

this plan. We have the clubhouse here. And the first, second, third,

fourth, fifth and sixth holes all winning in the same direction and

the wind is generally playing from the West, that direction. So you can

see. These opening six holes all played down breeze, so they are

relatively easy and then there's a little loop at the end, 7-9, then,

11 and 12 going the other way and 13-18, it going directly into the

breeze. Those closing nine holes are really tough. You have to make your

score on the front nine and hold on the back nine. This really is a

fantastic place. These opening holes are critical. The back nine, by

jingo, so tricky if the wind is in the wrong direction.

Nestling in the hay bales and the ferns. Danny Willett for birdie. He

came up short. This is for 2-under after four. Oh, beautifully done.

The long par-5 6th. Spieth, from 255 with a long iron. Pitching just

short, I'd imagine. Ooh, short and right but what a friendly bounce

that was! You dream about bounces like that. Chance of an eagle for

Spieth. Hello! It should be the other way around, the dog should be

following the ball. Looks like he could keep off the chips.

Jimmy Walker, birdie attempt on seven. O, walloped them are well

done. -- walloped, well done. Dustin

Johnson on the sixth, the long hole. Lovely shot. Just firing it at the

pin, he really is, in great form at the moment. But these are the easy

holes. Spieth, for an eagle on the sixth. As he hit it? A bit of a

dribbler. He'll be a couple under after six. Solid start but this

field are tearing the front nine apart.

Thomas, in trouble on 11th. But not any more! --: 11. Isn't it a funny

game, one minute you are cursing and then you play a shot like that, the

ball disappears and then you are happy again. Kevin Chappell on 12,

this is for a birdie to go to 3-under par. Yes. The Americans are

really having a good day at the moment. A cheque on the leaderboard,

early days of course -- checking the leaderboard. Thomas and Reed were

5-under par moments ago. You can see that they are making hay on the

first nine, which you have to do under the these conditions, similar

to Royal Lytham St Annes, you make score going out because it is much

more difficult on the inward nine, especially the last six holes.

Coleman, rewriting up on 18. This is for a round of 71 after a double

bogey start. -- Colin Montgomerie wrapping it up. Well done. Not

looking great on the leaderboard, but a lot of tough holes on the

inward nine. Good performance. Jimmy Walker on the eighth hole. A

bunker off the tee he had to play out sideways, and going in for four,

only dropping one shot. Slight relief. Back to 3-under par. Danny

Willett. Chasing a long iron into the sixth Cole. Par-5. -- hole. Not

that long, judging by the height. Dutiful shot from Willett. A good

chance of an eagle three. -- beautiful shot. After the wonderful

tee shot, this is a birdie, for Watson. Five of the best played

holes you would see. Couldn't be much better than that. Well, the

first round players are in. Colin Montgomery was first. Despite your

experience and everything you've achieved, can you tell us how you

felt on the first tee? It was right up there. I have played in the Ryder

Cup if you times and that was right up there. Thank goodness it was only

a 4-iron. I hit a reasonable shot but after that it was a bit silly. I

had to finish the hole with a double bogey six but at the same time, it

was a great honour and I'm glad to get out alive and finished with 71.

-- finish. Reed on 12 after a wayward tee shot, chopping it out,

trying to judge the bounce and spin. My goodness, he's done it

brilliantly well too. Looking down from on high. McIlroy.

His third to the sixth. The longest hole on the course.

Reed. Beautifully controlled, out of the rough, making a birdie and

moving to 5-under par. He's out on his own, the by one. -- the leader

by one. Let's see if McIlroy can find a birdie on the sixth. Hit it.

McIlroy gets one on the sixth. Didn't quite reach the green in two

but a little pitch and in it goes, 2-under par.

Long par four, Justin Thomas, his second. Go left! Left! What a

cracker Jack. A birdie chance, not many birdies on 13 today.

Bubba Watson at the 6th. He is 4-under par. This is for another

birdie. He left his first putt a little bit tentatively. But he makes

amends, another one for Bubba Watson, birdies on the first, third,

fourth, fifth and sixth, tied for the lead with Patrick Reed.

Justin Thomas, beautiful second shot into 13, this is to tie with the

leaders. What a beauty. What a beauty. The 13th produces so few

birdies and he's made it, he's 5-under. The tee shot of McIlroy on

seven, Ken. 400 yards. You beauty. That is flush. Is it going to get a

decent bounce? Oh, my goodness, go on. Surely he's not going to drive

it 400 yards. Has he made it? Not quite. Just a little rise up to the

green stopping it, that was enormous. Kevin Chappell.

Run away, ball. Yes! Just enough pace to hold the line. What a birdie

that is, Ken, on the 13th. That is rare.

Justin Rose, reaching the turn with a birdie. So so from Rose, 35 is the

very least you'd expect from this gentle front nine. It was an

enormous drive from McIlroy, nearly to the front edge of the green.

Heavy-handed chip, but still a birdie chance. He likes it, he likes

it. He loves it. He has hit some good ones this morning, he struggled

to start with but McIlroy is moving through the field. 3-under, very

nice. We can see the top of the ball but he is a long way back. The wrong

line into this one. Look at that, he's moved it nicely, chasing it up.

Patrick's off. What a shot from Patrick Reed, it's going to scuttle

an. Oh, that's cruel. That was an extraordinarily good shot but look

where he is now. That's no reward for that.

Postage Stamp, Rory on the tee, a big gallery around it. That's a

marvellous shot. Has the overcooked it? He is drawing it, oh,

magnificent. What a shot. Hey hey! Well done. That was hanging on for

dear life, beautifully hit shot. Wonderful. Bubba, he's overcooked

it. Shooting through the breeze, it may be long. Look where it's

finished. That's an playable. -- that's not playable. As a

left-handed player I don't know if he can scoop it somewhere. Thomas

for par on 14, trouble in the front right bunker. He's rattled it in,

what a par saved from Justin Thomas. He stays at 5-under, in a tie for

the lead with Bubba Watson. You wonder how you can go wrong, you

look at the distance of the Postage Stamp, but Bubba Watson showing how

you can do it. Going over the back, the chip rolling back to here. That

is for a double bogey. Patrick Reed was in a bit of bother, in the front

left bunker. This is for his par. What a save that is from Patrick

Reed. Clinging on on the back nine, dropping a shot on 13. Just one

behind Justin Thomas. So, Bubba Watson birdied the first,

third, fourth, fifth and sixth. And now getting six on the Postage

Stamp. 124 yards of unhappiness for him today. After a brilliant tee

shot. Three birdies in a row, six, seven and eight. 4-under par, just

one behind. McIlroy, two, six, for Watson. So, the state of affairs,

Justin Thomas is on top. Moving into that group on 4-under par, McIlroy,

with three in a row. Kevin Chappell has been in all sorts

of trouble here on 16. You think it's a birdie chance, par-5, but

this is the seven. Eight, the Kevin Chappell. He takes an almighty

tumble down the leaderboard -- for Kevin Chappell. Justin Thomas on 15,

this is to drop just one. He pitched up to here. Going in for a double

bogey. Double bogey for Justin Thomas, slips back to 3-under now.

Great run coming to an end. Matt Jones on the fourth, this is a putt

for birdie, to go to 3-under. It looks good and it is, my word, what

a start. He is on a sizzler. Soomin Lee, the Korean 22-year-old. Winning

in Shen Zen earlier in the season. Getting two on the Postage Stamp. He

is tied for the lead now, 4-under par. Louis Oosthuizen on 14. The

most gentle pathway out there, perhaps. All sorts of trouble today

-- par-3. He needs something magical to happen. This might yet!

Oosthuizen! His albatross in the second hole at Augusta and more

magic from him. Back to level par, simple as that. The 1st hole in this

year's Open Championship. Danny Willett, a bit of a struggle here on

ten, a bit untidy. But this is for a five. One shot dropped. Quite

alarming, the ten, 11, 12, the scoring so far. Early days, but

sixes and sevens, a couple of nines. Patrick Reed for a par on 15. He

doesn't waste much time. Rather refreshing, and in she goes. So

easy, well done, sir. Soomin Lee, 4-under par. The

surprise package. A young fellow. It won't, it couldn't, it has! Would

you believe it? Finding the tradesman 's entrance, the back

door, going through the pavilion, through the patio doors.

Extraordinary. Out in 32, 4-under par. Well done, young sir. McIlroy.

Nicely done. Good par on ten. One or two sixes at ten today. McIlroy

finds his way through to the 11th tee, the dangerous 11th and Ken has

been to have a All the way down the right of the

11th is the railway line. It is out of bounds. This is one of the

hardest holes on the course. But look at why. BT is here. This is the

railway line. The difficulty is you are hitting across the anger of the

fairway. It is quite narrow and difficult to judge. If you missed

the fairway, come and have a look. All the way down the right is this

tremendous course. You think there might be relief on the left, but

there are certainly is not. You cannot see the fairway from BT. The

green is no pushover either. Looking back to the 11th tee and over the

top of the course at the top, here is McIlroy. This whole averaging 5.1

and it is a power for. Not often that happens early in the peace. He

smacks one away. Danger everywhere. He is unsure. He is on the sure. Oh

my good God. Where is he? He might be all right. Now, lucky.

Up ahead on the green at the 11th, or near the green, is gay. A super

little chip. For underplaying the tension.

Conditions are quite benign at the moment. There is a strong breeze.

This is his chance for an eagle. The simplest of birdies. He takes the

lead at four under par. A four way tie on the opening morning of the

145th Open Championship. It is Patrick Reed, Rory McIlroy,

seemingly, one of a record seven wins. You can see the scores are

made on the way out, defended on the way home. Gary player said it was

the most difficult back nine in the world when the wind was blowing.

There is a breeze now and it is asking questions.

It was elevated green, surrounded by bunkers. He is short, yes she is. A

long way from the hole. Could have been a worse spot than that. McIlroy

at the 11th. There are short, very fortunate with his tee shot found a

decent life. That is a good pace. That is beautiful beautifully

judged. Coming up the last. A 3-under par. He is drawing into the

front left end into the breeze and that is brilliant. We won't see

better than that today. McIlroy gets is for.

Patrick Reed pouting for a two from long range. That is very well done

indeed. A good three. An excellent round he is putting together, but

one left. You would expect him to make a birdie at the 6th. Justin

Thomas finishes with a birdie at the last for a round of 67. The first

appearance in the Open Championship for the American. That is a tidy

card which included a double fogey -- double bogey. Excellent play.

Soomin Lee. You can see his caddy there. This is his third shot at the

11th. It is a beauty. It is a real beauty. That was the closest we have

seen a birdie there today. What do you make of Troon playing conditions

today? It is as came as we will see it. I try to take advantage of the

day and, that is what I was saying this morning, I have never played a

course where I literally have no clue what are the winning score will

be. I don't know if it will be over par, even power, under par. You

don't know. You play what you are dealt. A brave Taoiseach. -- key

shot. He will have that for a birdie.

Bubba Watson for a power. He has let things slip away dramatically over

the last four or five overs. He was steaming along and now level power.

Read at the last and he has done it. 66 shots for Patrick Reed. That will

take some beating. There is a look at his card. Patrick Reed's opening

66 equals the lowest opening round score at Royal Troon before. Lots of

good putts today the 24 is something you will look on with a lot of

pride. I haven't added up the stats but to hear 24 ports means a lot. I

have been working hard on it and I had a lot of putts today. They were

from just off the edges and that is the key thing. Back home, the greens

are much faster but we don't have this much wind. It is one of those

things I had to get comfortable with, hitting it hard enough and I

could do that. Pat Jones. A big hug after the ninth. He is therefore

too. It is a power for. If anyone can float one in their nicely it is

Rory. Going down the shaft, trying to keep the ball down a little.

Where has that gone? If that is it, that is an eagle shot he has left

himself. Matt Jones is at the front of the ninth and a good break off

the key. Up the slope. Up the slope. It dong. He joins read at the top of

the leaderboard. Nothing like a little snack when you have an itchy

head. What am I going to do here? Pictured in the bag? Lob over the

top? There is no chance of pitching it onto the green and stopping it.

Danger is if you miss it. Oh dear. That wasn't on the programme at all.

A glorious long putt at the 13th and he bloated stone dead. A birdie

chance year. Justin Rose, he has done it. He has made a birdie at the

15th. How about that for a card? His second birdie at number 15 today. He

moves to 2-under. 17 and Jamie Donaldson. For a too. He has got it.

2-under par for the Welshman. McIlroy. Oh my word. It is a double

bogey. The back nine really is something. The 13th claims McIlroy.

Back to 2-under. Porteus. Another birdie putt. He has just gone three,

three and another three. Who is this new man? Who is the stranger? Haydn

Porteous is the 22-year-old from Johannesburg in South Africa and the

one the Johannesburg open in January to qualify here. He recently posed

naked in a newspaper article called my sporting body. We have seen

rather a lot of him recently. There is McIlroy, sort of a little bit

plugged. He has got to get it out on the back of the green. The best he

could do. 20 minutes ago he was in the middle of the fairway faced with

the middle Ireland to the green and made a mess of it. People abruptly

dropped another one here, or maybe two. Fowler with summer break on

this one for his two on the 14th. Left to right. He gets back the shot

he lost in the 12th. Back to 2-under. Leading the way in this

group at the moment. It is a par putt for McIlroy. A long putt from

the back of the 14th. There should be a little bit of right to left at

the end. He is going to drop at least one of the back of that double

bogey on the 13th. He is unravelling a bit. Justin Rose, shorter and he

could've puttered through here. Plenty of green to play with. A

knock in a birdie to come for Rose. That would get him to 3-under.

McIlroy needs this one to drop just one. He certainly does. He missed

one of this length on the last. Not this time. Three shots dropped in

the space of 25 minutes. Here is Haydn Porteous, the young

South African going so well. Right to left. He is a rolling them in

just now and Haydn Porteous, the 22-year-old South African, leads the

Open Championship. What a run. Evil par, eagle birdie, birdie. Thank you

and good night. Back to Rory McIlroy. Just a short Aaron. What a

short Aaron. Write down the flag. A chance to get one back. This is Matt

Jones at the 11th. This is his fourth shot. He has had all sorts of

troubles on this goal. He has at least been able to hit it forward

and he hasn't done that very well and he has knocked it behind the

trees. That might be very difficult. Jordan Spieth. His chance of V2.

Hazard. He -- Spieth is into the red figures. Just trying not to rule

himself out of anything at this early stage. Matt Jones is in all

sorts of trouble on the 11th. Not the first to suffer here. This is

his sixth shot. Well left. There we are. The sixth shot was a beauty. It

is too gone, back to 3-under. A huge drive here. That is better. That is

well done. He is mercurial, you would say.

All sorts of problems for all sorts of people on the 11th. He goes to

4-under. He is the first to get a birdie on the 11th. Haydn Porteous

has made it cuts this year. He has missed his last three in a row. He

is enjoying his open debut. One shot ahead and he has only played nine

holes. Great to see Jamie Donaldson in. Further down, another good round

from Harrington. A par round of the back-to-back winner of this

Championship in 2007 and 2008. Jordan Spieth in trouble on 18th.

Jordan Spieth has had a drop on the 18th from way off to the right.

He is making heavy weather of the final hole. Good roller. What a

part. What a birdie on the 13th. They will all be trying that

technique. Why not? Jordan Spieth, third shot at the 18th. That sounded

a bit fluffy, didn't it? It certainly did.

Justin Rose, long birdie attempt. It is creeping on down there. He knew

enough added. Not to be, but a strong finish. Birdied 16. Powers on

17 and 18. A round of 68 for Justin Rose. Last year was his first top

ten since 1998 as a 17-year-old. He doesn't have a great record at the

open but a good start here. Spieth at the final hole. Making a big mess

of it so far. He just touches it over the top of the hill and that is

a drop shot. He deserved no better. He just fiddled about. Ends up with

a five. Just doesn't seem to see the lines on the greens here that he

would add somewhere like Agusta. Beautiful from Stricker. Plenty of

rounds in the 60s. One came from Justin Rose. A great way to start

the open. Are you pleased with the score? It could have been better.

Everyone says that but it legitimately could have been better.

Hit the ball fantastically well. It 16 greens. The only blips were six

and seven where I didn't birdied the par 56 which lead to frustration so

I was aggressive and easy shot on seven. Those two holes stop

lamenting that I was happy with the way I dug in. With the meat of the

course to come from eight onwards I put together a good round and a good

score. There were a couple that were left out in the first six holes.

Soomin Lee to avoid dropping his first shot of the day. A birdie

chance. The shot gone, back to 3-under. A none too convincing

bunker shot. It is a six. His first slip. Fighting to save par on the

13th. He let one slip as well. A big group on 3-under. Porteus. This for

his bogey. He drops 2-4 but nothing too serious. 4.85 average, the 11th.

A reasonably tricky par for. Bubba Watson at the final hole. Just to

the left of where his headers. Work was. A bit of movement. Beautifully

struck. Beautifully played. We have seen a lot of quality shots today.

Now McIlroy. McIlroy will probably be drawing it. We will see when it

bounces and spins. Pretty strict. A good shot. He will have that for a

68. Soomin Lee has a routine and he puts his left arm on his chest. He

is left. Confused by the reader. A rush of four birdies for McIlroy on

the front nine. He has had problems since then. This for a 68. He Reed

it pretty well, it just wouldn't come back. No damage with a 69.

Bubba Watson. A beautiful second shot down here. It has to drop and

it does. Bubba Watson closes with a birdie. A round of 70. Off to a

solid start here. Plenty of red on the card. Looking down the South

Beach, that is the view of the top of the leaderboard. Patrick Reed

with the 1-shot advantage over at Justin Thomas and Steve Stricker. A

good round from Justin Rose. He finished in the top ten at St

Andrews last year. Good progress from Richard Sterne E. He only

grabbed a qualifying pace at the French Open a couple of weeks ago.

Rory McIlroy, a round of 69. He is on the second page of the

leaderboard at 2-under. Let's hear from him. 32 gone out. He must be

pleased. I knew going into data that is where you need to make your score

on the front nine. Especially with the wind direction. Bubba had three

equal parts on the front nine. It is the nine where you have the make

your score and they did that and give myself a cushion going into the

tougher back nine. A lot of players are saying they just tough two

hanging on the back nine. I felt like I was hitting it better. I

didn't feel like I was hanging in. The six on 13 and I let it linger

and made a bogey on 14. That didn't help but it felt like there were

some chances. 15 wasn't playing as long as it has all week. 16 is a

reachable par-5. There were chances on the back nine. This is the best

we will see in terms of conditions so, thankfully, I am not too far

behind the lead. A decent day work. It into European Tour winner, Mark

James joins me. Rory making the point that there were chances when

he was coming home on the background. The wind dipped a bit at

that point. As he said, that could be a rare thing. It will be the last

time this week. Interestingly, it has dropped. It is very calm now.

The players who have got the calmest conditions for the 11 o'clock

onwards and somewhere around that is the cut-off point for the field.

Those players will be of very early tomorrow morning. The wind is

supposed to get up during the day but if it is quite for three or four

hours, those players who have had the best could have the best

tomorrow and could get a huge jump. Patrick Reed mastered conditions and

the breeze was in his is coming back. He seems to love Scotland. He

was the top scorer at the Ryder Cup a couple of years ago at Gleneagles

and one beautifully with a top ten finish at the Scottish Open. He is

coming into form at the right time. He is an interesting player. He gave

it everything at Gleneagles. I thought I would hate this guy, but I

liked him. I still love watching him play. He is getting better and

better and he will hang around all week and he really just looks

comfortable on this course, comfortable in the wind and he had

it tougher earlier. Yes, he is very dangerous in this Championship. It

is the Eagle early on that catapulted him in terms of his

momentum, straight in there and home with that record equalling open

round of 66. His lowest round ever in a major Championship. Great stuff

from him and lots of Americans on this board. Very little emotion from

him. Keeping everything in check. That bodes well for if he gets into

contention. He looked to have control of what was going on. Easy

to think the club up and your brain gets a bit scrambled. Let's find out

the Wii will be watching in the afternoon. It takes nearly ten hours

of tee times to get all the players under way and amongst the notable

ones in the afternoon, the trio he finished second, third and fourth

last times. Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood earning

his first top four in a major back then. Just after two o'clock was

when Dustin Johnson set out on his quest to win back-to-back Majors and

three titles in a row. Martin Kaymer and Russell Knox from Scotland. The

leading European on the US money list right now. Then came Zach

Johnson alongside former world number one Adam Scott and the sweet,

Henrik Stenson. They have come so close in the open before. Zach

Johnson was reluctant to hand back the Claret Jug but he has made a

positive start in his bid to retain the trophy. That is a birdie putt at

the 1st. Phil Mickelson has picked up a shot at the 2nd. Another chance

at the 4th. Taking the scenic route. He hasn't won anything since is

Murphy Triumph two years ago. Whatever Ernie Els? He was stung

into action after dropping a shot at the 2nd and has made two birdies

since then. His tee shot at the short fifth and that will set up a

run of three in a row. The Big Easy, 2-under for his round now. Back to

sack. Clearly love and cherish, the birthplace of the open, as much as

he did St Andrews. And Billy Horschel, soberly dressed today. A

birdie putt. He is how it looks. Patrick Reed

still unchallenged. There is now a 3-way tie. It is Thomas Stricker and

Horschel on 4-under and those making the best progress include the likes

of Richard Sterne E, 3-under 217 and Justin Leonard, the man who won here

in 1997, also 3-under 39. COMMENTATOR: Looking down on Royal

Troon, the delightful town of Troon itself, with its harbour. Wonderful

stretches of beach. Tidy little turning. Wonderful golf from Zach

Johnson. Cracking on well, the defending champion hitting one away.

Slightly anxious. No need. Came in nicely, well done. Nice

start from Mickelson. Finau from America, his birdie putt

on the 13th. Could be. It is, too. Went in nicely. 3-under. No dropped

shots at all. Zach Johnson, who has made a wonderful start to his

opening round. The defending champion. He needs a bit more club

to reach the green. Very straight, not the greatest of hitters. Is it

straight enough, bouncing enough? It certainly is. That's the way you do

it, scuffling along and getting it on the green. Sergio Garcia. Second

hole, second shot. I detect a grey or two in his beard, over the years,

but the shots remain startling. This is for birdie. It looks good

and it is good. A couple under already, Zach

Johnson. This is on the fourth, this is a chance for the eagle three.

Back at the bunker. Just misjudging the pace up the slope before it ran

down. Ernie Els, who has his putting problems but this is for a birdie.

He didn't hit it, did he? Well done, Ernie. As long as it disappears,

it's good. Another birdie, four birdies but that five and six, just

to keep him honest. Always looks sometimes he has his hands behind

the ball but he's very efficient at putting and he has been for some

time. His third birdie of the day after four holes. The defending

champion, after winning at St Andrews. Garcia for a birdie. Yes,

well done. Could it be his year? It might be his year. It all depends if

he can knock in a fuse putts. Westwood, for birdie. On seven. -- a

few putts. Well done. Reaching the Postage Stamp. He loves

a challenge. 124. Does he like it? He likes it, that's a crackerjack

shot. What a beauty. Delightful shot.

Ooh! Can you believe it? Can you believe it? Awkward little shot down

the slope. Delightful tee shot on the eighth hole, and spinning back.

Down the line very nicely, very steady. How's that for a

good-looking card? Dustin Johnson, now. The US Open champion. He holds

it -- holes it. A birdie, which was needed.

Justin Leonard, for birdie, going along very nicely. He's certainly

remembered how to putt. Look at that. Lovely card, out in 33,

starting home, nothing to it! STUDIO: Looking the south tip of the

island, there the leaderboard. Justin Leonard, would you believe

it, 1997 his year, he had an immaculate display of putting on the

final day with a closing 65 to beat Jesper Parnevik and Darren Clarke

and here he is again, on the leaderboard. Phil Mickelson also

rolling back the years, three years in fact to Muirfield when he won his

only Open title. He hasn't won any event anywhere since then.

COMMENTATOR: Stenson, second shot on this big, big par-5. He hit it well,

a towering shot. Has he got it online? Going at the heart, it's a

majestic shot. Absolutely sparkling shot, to the heart of the green.

Chance for an eagle. Johnson, much better angle, he can

see the flag. That's fantastic. What a great shot. After that wonderful

second shot of Stenson, this putt 43. -- for three. Eagle three. What

they putt. What a man. -- a putt. Beautiful shots.

Birdie at the 6th and the seventh, Johnson is 1-under par. Looking back

to the eighth tee, this is one of the great holes in golf and Ken has

been looking and he will tell us all about it.

Back on the hill is the eighth tee, the Postage Stamp, one of the most

famous holes here on the golf course. Very small putting surface,

15 yards by eight yards. I've marked out where the pin positions may be,

the four positions. Let's have a look at this one. So little margin

for error, if you have a wedge you can have a go but if you get it

wrong, have a look at this, you go down there, no green to work with

and a deep bunker. When you are on the tee with the wedge, the

percentage play, which is difficult, to try to hit the centre of the

green on this towel. From there, look how far you are from the flag.

Over there, ten feet, 15 feet here and about ten feet. The longest putt

is to the pin at the back of the green which is only 20 feet away

which isn't too bad, and it's uphill. When you are going for this

green, the Postage Stamp, play for the centre of it, don't chase the

flag, or you can be in a lot of trouble. Ken Brown, he knows a thing

or two. Kaymer on the eighth hole, can he follow his advice? Watch his

reaction. He looks to be happy. So happy! So happy! Good shot. How is

Mickelson's touch? Birdie chance on number nine. A little bit slow.

Winning at Muirfield, looking back on his career, he may say that is

his best, perhaps winning at the Masters. I think he thought he would

master links golf, but how about that, 32. Justin Leonard. A winner

here. A few years ago. It is doing its best for him. Remembering old

times. Just kissing the balls. He wasn't old enough to shave last time

he was here, look at him now. Phil has got one of his fairway woods. He

likes it. Very nice, he has a decent flag lie

as well. -- flat. This reminds me of the putt that Leonard made in the

Ryder Cup, smashing it into the hole from about this range and everyone

galloped onto the green. Not this time but it's a good putt from such

long-range doorstep thank you for reminding me of that, Peter! Those

were the days! 124 yards to the flag. Here is Zach.

Phil Mickelson for a birdie. He is 4-under and playing quite

beautifully. This is the 10th. The greens are in magnificent condition.

One of the worlds best. It's hardly surprising. Par, birdie, par,

birdie, par, birdie, very rhythmical. The Bay. If only the sun

shone more. Up to the 18th hole. Finau, 3-under. Par for a 68. That

could well be three. Zach Johnson. Beautiful two for him.

He moves to 4-under par. Finau on 18, after that delightful

second shot. This is to go to 4-under par. And he makes it look

very easy, 67. Very nice playing in deed. -- indeed.

Now, Mickelson on 11. A long iron, up towards the green. The wall on

the right. I don't think he quite got it. Pretty good, two putts from

Mickelson, pretty easy prospect. Johnson's second.

A style very much of his own. It looks on line. Yes, a good one

again. He's a very confident player, in a similar mould to Luke Donald a

years ago. Down the fairway, not especially long, a good short game,

a good head on his shoulders. Martin Kaymer, the first of this threesome

to play the second shot into the 10th green.

Now, Zach Johnson for birdie to join the leaders on 5-under. Ooh, so

near. He remains 4-under par. You almost feel that you can jump up

and touch it. Absolutely amazing. Mickelson for par on the 11th, to

stay 5-under. No bother. He's had a fantastic front nine and now we have

hazel. STUDIO: 19 years since Phil Mickelson first played Royal Troon

in anger. He knows his way around. This opening birdie for the

five-time major winner on the second. The next one would follow at

the 1st of the par-5 holes, the fourth. The Californian's birdie

putt on the sixth took advantage of another par-5. The is 3-under and

this is a beauty. The tee shot on the Postage Stamp, 420 square yards

of green to work with and that's enough for Phil, hardly a puff of

breeze now. A birdie, Mickelson firmly on a roll. And his putter was

in action on the difficult 10th, this is one of only six birdies

there to date and the Muirfield champion goes into a tie with his

Ryder Cup team-mate Patrick Reed on 5-under. We saw signs of it last

week in Castle Stuart and it looks like he may be onto something. So,

the thrill returns. The co-leader with Patrick Reed and the red, white

and blue of the US really dominating the opening day. Nicholson, one of

seven Americans on the front page. Tony Finau, the winner of the Puerto

Rico open, making quite a impression on his debut, not a single bogey in

his round of 67. What did you expect with your first open here at Troon?

-- Open. I am used to traditional golf courses, a lot of trees. I

definitely got what I expected, ailing style golf course and I'm

happy with how I started. -- a links style. COMMENTATOR:. Kaymer, after a

good start this is to go 4-under par.

He's got his putting boots on, looking very good indeed, smooth,

unruffled, unhurried. 4-under par. Second shot on the 12th, for

Mickelson. Hitting a little bit right of the flag. No risks. A lot

of players have gone in the gully. JB Holmes. The Ryder Cup player. We

under par. -- 3-under par. Mickelson, to get to 6-under. He has

misled that. He will get the par under his belt -- he miss read it.

With this wind, every hole is a birdie hole.

Justin Leonard. Birdie putt on the 16th. He's done it again. Could he

win again? Dustin Johnson. 1-under, second shot to the 11th. He's hit a

majestic drive. Steady, it's all right. Dustin Johnson certainly

arrived here at Troon in good form. two perfect shots, a tentative putt,

this is for par on 11. Mickelson. His second shot. He's

played... A nice little bounce onto the green.

Just about see the flag here on the ninth hole, Garcia.

Totally changed this green. What they shot from Garcia. Beautiful, he

really is a joy to watch from tee to green -- what a shot. Mickelson has

left himself this sizeable putt. Giving it the full stretch to the

flag. That's not too bad. Patrick Reed finished a long time

ago, 66. Mickelson, six left to play. Americans at Royal Troon. In

control. A bit further down, it becomes a more international

leaderboard. Good to see Jamie Donaldson, who has had his

struggles. Now, Stenson, his third to 11. In

the tangled stuff. What a shot. Wonderful second shot from Garcia,

this is for his birdie. And he's out in 34. In these conditions, there

are birdies to be had, even on the tough back nine. Write in there.

A wayward drive and second but a great pitch, Stenson. Can he make a

great four at the 11th? One eagle and all pars so far. This is to stay

2-under. No. Mickelson has reached the 14th, the

joint leader with Patrick Reed. The pin is just on the front left

corner. Nice result. Very narrow entry to this green. Andy Sullivan.

This is to get to three. Beautifully done, Sullivan. He's coming back to

form in recent weeks. 3-under. Really is Dead Calm out here now.

Mickelson, for his two on 14. A conventional grip for this length.

Sort of a reverse. What a beauty! Well, absolutely great. Going to the

top of the leaderboard, -6. A former champion is on the war path. Look at

the card, superb, no bogeys, six birdies. Smiling. Justin Leonard. He

used to roll these in for fun in his pomp. That's a shame, it was going

so well. But it's a birdie to finish for Justin Leonard. Playing in the

former champions's group. STUDIO: Phil Mickelson, one shot clear of

Patrick Reed. Mickelson missed the cut in the first two Majors of the

year, making up for it here at Troon.

COMMENTATOR: Stenson on 12, 150, to the pin.

Immensely long. Playing to the middle of the green. You can see

Johnson's ball in the bunker there. Soren Kjeldsen on the final hole.

Tiger leader. -- tidy. A birdie 467. Stenson's birdie attempt on 12.

Got to go. Yeah. Well done, third birdie of the day, birdie and an

eagle on sixth. Russell Knox. 3-over after three, so

he's trying to get back to level par. The middle of the 13th fairway.

That's a fine shot. Come on. The leading European on the US money

list. Now, Nielsen, chance for 67 -- Kjeldsen. Yes, indeed, two birdies

in the last three holes for the Dane. What a start here. Not a great

relationship with the Open Championship. We talked about

Russell Knox trying to get back from his par double bogey bogey start,

3-over. A couple of birdies, this is to go back level.

What a free that is on 13. Laser-like second shot from him. He

is recovering well now. An ugly start.

Championship leader, Phil Mickelson, this is to stay 6-under. Solid par

on the difficult 15th. The par-5 to come. Some wind turbines about to

head out into the Firth at some point. Ken Brown has been looking at

the 16th. The 16th is the last par-5, it is

basically a straight hole. These fairways are fairly generous, quite

flat and that there is a little gully ditch running over the fairway

that you must contend with. Second shot, you must decide whether to

reach the green in two otherwise you are going to lay up. Bunkers around

the green, it is a birdie opportunity but the key factor on

this whole, this little ditch running across the fairway. -- on

this hole. 235 yards to reach it. Generally this hole plays into the

breeze, so sometimes they might be able to clear it but you have to lay

up short, nine times out of ten. You have to land a reasonable distance

short of it. You have to hit your tee-shot about 285 and then you have

the best part of 250 yards so probably a couple of 3-woods. Is

anybody going to take on the ditch? We'll have to see. Is the last

chance really of an easy birdie, so you have to attack, that's for

certain. Mickelson, 290 two the gully. The wind is from the south.

They will be crashing at this with drivers. You can still get home from

there. Kaymer, Taoiseach on the 14th, a

very narrow entrance to the green -- tee shot. Absolutely dead still, the

wind has dropped away. Kaymer is going at it. Lovely birdie

opportunity to follow. It is a long way back just to be

sure. Bunkers to the left and the right. Down into the front right. A

lovely tee shot from Martin Kaymer. This would move him to minus five.

Yes, cried someone, no set the ball. Going along very steadily. To

Stenson. Dear oh dear. Missed putts coming thick and fast. Stenson slips

back to one. Now, westward. -- westward. Go on. In it goes. Just

about. Wrestle the pain away and it will drop. Let's have another look

at this. An eagle. That left him back up to level par. Mickelson

trying to emulate Westwood. He has given it an almighty thump. That is

beautifully played. Not easy to get that distance.

These are easy targets for someone like Zach Johnson. I fully expect

this within 12 feet of the pin. You are right, you are wise. He loved

that. Too good tee shot in so far. Louis Oosthuizen with a hole-in-one

earlier. I am still reeling from the short missed out on the last. They

are surrounding the pain. For birdie, Mickelson. This would get

him to 7-under. Oh yes. Beautiful. 7-under. He is opening a little bit

of space between him and the field. Great play from Phil Mickelson. At

46 years of age, Phil Mickelson could be on for his lowest round of

golf ever in an Open Championship. Two shots ahead of Patrick Reed and

only for counting events left until the Ryder Cup teams are settled, ate

lots of red, white and blue on the leaderboard. Not many Europeans.

Soren Kjeldsen, a real resurgence in his form since he won the Irish Open

last year. 4-under for the first day. You must be delighted. I played

really well and conditions were better than I thought they would be

so it was a nice combination of some good shotmaking, some good putts and

great conditions. A steady tee shot for Stenson at this 167 yard 14th.

It would be good to get a pop in here. Beautifully done by Stenson.

Moved back to 2-under. Mickelson, it one of the club and

the steps to this long par-3. Another beautiful shot from

Mickelson. A chance to get to get under. 63 might be on the cards.

Zach Johnson for his two on the 14th. A positive stroke, right in

the middle. Zach Johnson continues this wonderful opening round in

defence of his title. Five birdies, no drop shots, two behind Mickelson.

You think of all the 63 's Majors that have been done by numerous

people. Nick Price, Greg Norman, Johnny Miller, and humour. Nobody

has shot 62. That is still a tall order for Mickelson.

Fingers crossed he will beat that today. This is to move to minus

eight. He did it. -8 for Mickelson. He has a chance at the last. 340 62.

That would be some round. Never been done in Majors. They are all nodding

approval. Mickelson is in heaven. Let's see if Garcia can find another

birdie. He hasn't. Garcia goes to two. A popular band, as you can

hear. -- he has it. Let's hit the 3-wood. I am not

feeling as much wind as I expected it to. It is 267 to the start of the

bunkers on the left. 312 to the bunker on the right. He is heading

toward the bunkers on the left. Lucky, lucky. He will need a bit of

that. Take to get to the front left in from there. Par is the likely

result now. Andy Sullivan. This too birdie at 16 and get to minus three.

Well done. Putting the ship back on course after a bogey at 15.

Does he chase this flag? He just held onto it a fraction. Does he

chase the flag? Of course he does. That for a 60 to come. Mickelson

providing all the drama league in day here. He is unfortunate to stick

there and come up short but he is very good at this distance, Zach

Johnson. Just a little bit of chat. But for his par. The last time he

walked up this hill in competitive golf, Mickelson thought he was in

with a chance of winning. He finished a shot behind the man on

his right. He played too conservatively then. None of that

today. What a round he has played today. Zach Johnson. Save par on 15.

He has parted very, very well. Three behind Mickelson now. There have

been no fewer than 27 rounds of 63, this, for Mickelson, 462. -- for 62.

He will know exactly what this part is for. He will know what it means.

It is good. Go now. No. You cannot, you cannot leave it there. Maybe

just an inch. An inch from history. Not to be for Phil Mickelson, but a

very special round of golf. What a way to start his challenge for this

Open Championship. 62 survives on touched. 63 for Mickelson. He is as

staggered for the rest of this. What a round of golf. The course record

at Troon, so close, so close. It was the 1973 Troon open champion who

once said shooting a 62 in a major is like the four minute mile in

golf. That was the equivalent of a nanosecond away. What a round, what

the start. Feel the thrill is well named. Three shots in front. So, to

Russell knocks. One overpower. Very nicely done. Noise all over the

course now. He moves with a huge leap in red figures. He was 3-over

after three holes. Kaymer. A chance to get to 5-under. Good scoring

toward the end of the day. Beautifully done. Three behind

Mickelson but it is a tie for second pace. That is a tidy, can shot. Five

birdies and 11 pars. Sullivan at 18. Drawing one in. What a good shot.

Chance of a 67 for Sullivan. This kind of shot is his speciality, Zach

Johnson. Grid control with a wedge. Right at the flag. Johnson nearly

did the same as Russell Knox. Short putt for the birdie to come. Andy

Sullivan, can he close with the birdie? Oh, he can. Pours it into

the middle. A fine round from Andy Sullivan. Garcia for birdie. Yes.

Well done. 3-under now. To get to 6-under, Zach Johnson. A beauty for

Johnson. 6-under. Birdie, birdie finish to pay with Mickelson. Phil

Mickelson still trying to dig in the enormity of that mess at the last.

Could have been a 62. He will settle for a 60 day. It is the New Course

record at Troon. I wonder what his reflections on that extraordinary

Brown will be. Where does that record equalling 63 stand on the

list of great career rounds for you? It was a great round but I had great

conditions. The final round at Muirfield will always be my best

round of my career, but this was a tremendous round. I had a chance to

do something historical and I am heartbroken it didn't go in. I know

it was right in the centre and it just didn't go. Did you think it was

going in? It started on line and they had solid, I hit it with the

right pace. I thought I Reed it right. I knew it was in with the

food to go, I felt a surge of the javelin that I just sort -- shot 62

and then I felt the disappointment of not shooting the 62. It was for

pricking. Zach Johnson Tom Grabham -- it was heartbreaking. All sorts

of trouble down there. He is wide. Stay there. Stay there. It hasn't

finished. It has finished now. Could be an awkward stance. In a

leaderboard dominated by Americans the German Martin Kaymer stands out.

No bogeys on his card today, five birdies. This for another. Very good

effort from Kaymer. They are right to groan. Johnson after the

lacklustre tee shot, to say the least. Played it nicely. A defeat

left for his par. -- eight feet. No good for Russell knocks. That will

be a double bogey on the 17th after doing so well to get back up to

subpar figures. Slips back. Not a great day for British golfers. The

best of them is well-placed. Andy Sullivan four an apartment in the

clubhouse. Massively pleased. Always nice to get off to a good start in

an Open Championship. The scoring was favourable. Conditions were

quite benign so it felt like if I did not take advantage of it I would

had grief coming in. A solid start, even though it looks average now. To

save par, Johnson. An awkward one for Kaymer. Standing above the ball.

It has not been a great round. He had a birdie on the 13th. A bit of

drama here on the 16th. I am sure he will celebrate in some

non-flamboyant way. This 465 for Kaymer. He has played well. -- this

for 65. That is not his best part. A little tap in, a round of 66, a

great start to this Open Championship. His lowest ever round

in and open. Three behind Mickelson. Bradley for birdie. Oh yes. We have

seen a mix of pubs from Keegan Bradley. A misplaced drive right up

against the face of the bumper. Third shot now for Zach Johnson.

Near enough. Just died on the front of the green. Still a great chance

to save par and remain 5-under. Can Garcia find the birdie on this par

five which has given up so many? He can indeed. Garcia moves to 4-under

par. Closing well. Finishing strongly. The support is still with

them. Six birdies in the first 16 homes for Zach Johnson. No bogeys.

Everything was going swimmingly. Another bad tee shot here. Hacked

out of the bunker sideways. This, for a round of 66. No one likes to

finish with two bogeys. Surely not. Well, he will be disappointed. 67

for the day is a good round of golf. Just not quite the one he was hoping

for. He has got basically joined Garcia at minus four.

Right out the bottom of that leaderboard you will see the name

Zach Johnson, disappointing finish from his point of view. Bogey, bogey

at 17 and 18. Some happy sitting for a sack. It was Bobby Locke of South

Africa and Arnold Palmer who retained their open titles rated at

Troon. It has been done before and he can do it. Before I talk about

your round, how did it feel to be welcomed back as the champion? Very

nice, very warm, welcoming. Lots of nice embraces and applause. From the

RNA and the fans. It is nice to come back to a tournament you respect but

that you love. It is not always nice giving a trophy back but the last 12

months or so has been fantastic. You did a good job for the majority of

the round. It would suggest you didn't want to give the trophy back.

It was a solid day. A level of quality shots, opportunities out

there. A couple of nice recoveries and a couple of Arendt shot at the

end. I paid the price, as you should. It will by you hear if you

are not on your game. Unfortunate but with more positives than

negatives and I will continue tomorrow. Let's dig a breath. Phil

Mickelson is three shots ahead of the field. Patrick Reed and Martin

Kaymer, the top European in hot pursuit. Then comes the group in

fourth, all tied at 4-under par and it includes the top Briton, Andy

Sullivan of England. It also includes the defending champion,

Zach Johnson. Justin Rose looms large at 3-under. Also in that

group, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia. We have been following the

fortunes of some of the biggest names in the game and they find

themselves a long way back at the moment. If you have been following

Rory McIlroy, he is there at 2-under with Rickie Fowler, so to Adam

Scott. Colin Montgomerie hit the opening shot. Level par from Jordan

Spieth, Willett, Johnson and the world number one, Jason Day, a less

than average day, ten shots and the back behind the leader. Like many,

he was 4-under to the turn but it was pressing the accelerator on the

back nine that separated him from the challengers. We got a break with

the weather. The wind died a bit, changed direction, so this 10th and

11th was very tricky. A couple of nice shots and he has been working

on his 10th. This is delightful. The three at number ten was a real

boost. That was one of the rarest birdies today. This is the 14th at

the short par-3 and Mickelson seeing everything now. He played a cagey

shot and another one of the find at the bottom of the cup. He is gaining

confidence here. He has that look on his face where he is content. The

16th and you would think he would be in a lot of trouble but he makes it

look easy. It is a dangerous shot. It is difficult to get it out and

move it 18 yards. That was another birdie opportunity. His seven of the

day. He founded in and at 46 years of age, this gives them another

crack at the birdie. He played aggressively. He was trying to work

the ball in from right-to-left which he did delightfully. One of the best

T-shirts today. Again, if he can nudge this one, there is something

special on the horizon. He would walk to the eating knowing that he

had a chance not just to equal a golfing history with a 63 but to

write a whole new page at the 18th. Found the rough and played a good

approach. How that stayed out, I will never, never know. He couldn't

believe it. He had to be content with a 63. Just parked behind the

cup. He had a part like that at Phoenix. This one seemed to become

in nicely and just decided it wasn't going to go. He said he felt like he

played the round of his life and he still felt like crying. He said at

Castle Stuart he realised he had to do work on his like again and he had

a huge session on Tuesday. That seems to have made a massive

difference. There are a lot of parts taken from off the greens. He has

honed himself. He always practices but his confidence has developed. It

went from good to better and better. I thought he had shot the 62. He is

looking to be the second oldest champion ever after Old Tom Morris

in 1867 he was only two months old. Mickelson will feature in your shot

of the day. First of all, the Oosthuizen had a special job at the

14th. It was the par-3. 167 yards. That was more breeze about. With the

wind of the left, it is awkward. He covered the flag all the way and in

she went. Got back to level par. A special shot. Two aces after his

performance at the Masters. This was a fantastic shot. He nudged it in

low and it came off the Kosh and that was one of the shots of the

day. Such a quality striker. Mickelson on the same hole. Another

chance added to. He plays a similar sort of shot. A little higher, the

wind has died down a fraction. Watch this one. He struck it so well. A

lovely too. What is your shot of the day. This came at the 3rd. Bubba

Watson, driver, a par for, 372 yards and he gives it this wallop. The

pain is at the back of the green. Could you chase it on? It scripts

passed the bunker, runs down the edge, it must be the best of 390

yards. A bit special. Only Boboc could do that. He will be looking

forward to tomorrow. The wind is due to switch around. Relentless rain as

well. A beautiful summer 's day here in Scotland once again. Ken, it has

been an eventful day. We have had a hole-in-one, a horror show at the

11th and a very low number indeed. A history equalling number. It might

have broken the record but the day belongs to Phil Mickelson. It is

fair to say he has mastered Royal Troon today. Good night.