The Open 2018 - round one as it happened: Latest scores, leaderboard, news and updates from Carnoustie - Tiger Woods underway in first round
Follow all the latest from the first round at Carnoustie
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The Open Championship is upon us once again.
The oldest tournament in golf returns to Carnoustie, one of the most fearsome courses on the rotation, for what promises to be a true test of the golfing elite. The weather won't help either. After a hot summer the Angus course is baked to a crisp giving even the tour's shortest hitters a chance to blast their way around this week. But watch out for those fairway bunkers.
World number one Dustin Johnson, defending champion Jordan Spieth and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy all hoping to be in contention come the back nine on Sunday. Don't rule out a charge from Tiger Woods either with the course conditions playing into the favour of the 14-time major winner.
We will have all the latest news, scores, updates and more from our man on the course, Ed Malyon, plus analysis from elsewhere right here.
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The 2018 Open Championship is upon us.
The oldest tournament in golf returns to Carnoustie, one of the most fearsome courses on the rotation, for what promises to be a true test of golf's elite. The weather won't help either. After a baking hot summer the Angus course is baked to a crisp giving even the tour's shortest hitters a chance to blast their way around this week.
The very top of the game have assembled with world number one Dustin Johnson, defending champion Jordan Spieth and home nations hope Rory McIlroy all hoping to be in contention come the back nine on Sunday. Don't rule out a charge from Tiger Woods wither with the course conditions playing into the favour of the 14-time Major winner.
We will have all the latest news, scores, updates and more from our man on the course, Ed Malyon, plus analysis from elsewhere right here so don't touch that dial.
Right then, let's get into it.
Debutant Erik van Rooyen has made best use of benign conditions so far.
The 28-year-old South African recorded three birdies in his first six holes to lead by one from 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett.
Among a large group a short further back included 60-year-old Sandy Lyle, who had the honour of hitting the first tee shot at 6.35am in his final Open, who was one under at the turn.
The early groups were greeted by clear skies and very little wind so the onus was on them to take advantage and Van Rooyen did that with birdies at the opening two holes.
Phil Mickelson, the 2013 Open champion at Muirfield, has recorded his first birdie at the fourth to join the growing group on one under, but drove into a bunker at the next to hand that shot back.
The left-hander found more trouble pulling his approach to the sixth into deep rough and after chopping out to the fringe of the green he left his birdie attempt just short.
Van Rooyen turned in 33, two better than Southgate, but his playing partner made the first move on the back nine with birdies at 10 and 11.
The South African responded with a birdie of his own at 11 to maintain his one-shot lead at four under.
Willett, whose group were told on the ninth hole they were being put on the clock, turned at two under but a 15-foot birdie putt at the 10th moved the Yorkshireman alongside Southgate on three under.
Quite the morning for Jhonattan Vegas. He turned up at Glasgow Airport 55 minutes ago after visa problems without his clubs and had to be helicoptered to the course. He's getting some much-needed practice in with an unfamiliar set of clubs ahead of ahead of a 10.31 tee time.
The defending champion is on the tee. Jordan Spieth is playing in a strong group with Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Justin Rose.
Spieth is down the right but fortunately pulls up just ahead of a bunker. Rose finds the fairway on the left side. Aphibarnrat (looking for a first made cut at The Open) unleashes a drive and very nearly reaches the green.
Carnoustie is far from Car-nasty this year. The extended period of warm weather has resulted in a rock-hard course ripe for low-scoring one generally doesn't associate with the course. The greens are green, but the fairways are yellow and extremely fast.
Lovely putt from Martin Kaymer to secure back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15. He's looking to add an Open title to his previous USPGA and US Open victories. He's at two-under.
Just 86 yards left for Kiradech Aphibarnrat. He lofts one just beyond the flag and holds beautifully. A birdie putt on the first.
Spieth is on the fringe after his second. He just clips the hole and leaves himself a little bit to do for par.
Justin Rose doesn't quite find the line but his weight is excellent and it will be a tap-in par. Rose's best Open finish surprisingly came as an amateur in 1998 when he finished tied for fourth. So consistent in the last few years, he will be a favourite this weekend.
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