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As it happenedended

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

Harry Latham-Coyle
Thursday 19 July 2018 15:58 BST
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The Open Championship in numbers

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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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On the tee, from Northern Ireland: Rory McIlroy.

Winner in Hoylake four years ago, McIlroy has finished in the top five at each of the last two Open Championships. 

He's playing with Marc Leishman and Thorbjorn Olesen. The former came so close in 2015, losing a playoff to Zach Johnson at St.Andrews. Another very strong group.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 12:53

Close for Henrik Stenson, but his birdie putt stops an inch right and an inch short of the hole. Two pars to begin his round.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 12:59

It was Nelson Mandela Day yesterday, and it is looking like another good day for South Africans at Carnoustie. Zander Lombard moves to -4, joining Erik Van Rooyen, with Brandon Stone just behind on -3.

There are plenty of South Africans on the course, too, including personal favourite Retief Goosen, who sits at one-over.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 13:03

The players in game number 35 tee off. Dustin Johnson is away with a typically powerful strike that ends up just out of a bunker close to the green.

Alexander Noren and Charley Hoffman are his playing partners. Noren prevailed at the French Open recently, and the 36-year old could have an outside shot at victory here.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 13:08

A former Open champion is having a rough day - Darren Clarke is eight over through 13!

Yeesh...

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 13:15

Birdie for Alexander Noren at the first. Moments after Dustin Johnson pushes his putt to the left, Noren reads it perfectly and gets off to an ideal start.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 13:19

Lovely iron in from Henrik Stenson at four. The wind has died down and there are plenty of birdies available on the course.

Louis Oosthuizen (another South African and 2010 Open champion) putts from the fringe at 12 to move under par. 

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 13:31

Big right-to-left breaker for Ryan Moore at the fifth just drops in. He is already three under.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 13:35

Three Americans, three South Africans - the top of the leaderboard:

-5 Kevin Kisner (66)

-4 Erik Van Rooyen (67)

-3 Jordan Spieth (13), Ryan Moore (5) , Zander Lombard (10), Brandon Stone (68)

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 13:39

No surprise to see Matthew Southgate play well today. He knows the course better than most in the field, and Ed Malyon spoke to him after his opening 69:

Harry Latham-Coyle19 July 2018 13:48

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