Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat didn’t have a great opening round but he did produce one of the shots of the day. At the par-four 17th, he was still a long way from the green when he took his third shot (1).

 

 

 

                                                            Kiradech was not very happy with his game 

 

 

His approach was good — so good in fact that the ball bounced once and dropped straight into the hole (2), prompting Aphibarnrat to celebrate by kissing his club (3) as the crowd applauded him.

 

It was the highlight of a difficult day for the 28-year-old who played with Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth. He finished three over par with the 17th one of four birdies. He also had five bogeys and a double bogey on the 3rd.

 

Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat endured a day of mixed emotions as he signed for an opening three-over-par 74 at The 147th Open at Carnoustie on Thursday.

 

The 28-year-old Thai, who was crowned the Asian Tour number one in 2013, fired two birdies against a double-bogey to turn in level par. He dropped four shots in his next seven holes but gained an unexpected birdie on 17 after his pitch from 80 yards found the bottom of the cup.

 

 

'A tough Golf course for Jazz'

 

 

Fellow compatriot and Major debutant Jazz Janewattananond matched the efforts of Kiradech after marking his card with four birdies against a double-bogey and five bogeys.

 

 

 

 

“It was a long round today. I started off alright but it got quite bad later but I managed to keep my head in it. It’s a tough golf course and it’s also my first Major championship. I have never played links course before so to finish three-over-par, I’m pretty happy.

 

“Another round tomorrow, things could be different, you never know. I just have to be calm about it and see what happens. I made a long putt on hole 11 for birdie. It was about 40 feet or more. It was a really tough hole because it’s straight into the wind,” Jazz said.

 

The Thai duo were among those tied in 90th place, eight shots behind leader Kevin Kisner of the United States. Danthai Boonma, the other Thai debutant in the field, posted a 78.

 

A nervous Danthai Boonma of Thailand kept his chin up after signing for an opening seven-over-par 78 in his debut appearance at The 147th Open at Carnoustie on Thursday. After a disappointing start, the 22-year-old Thai admits he must learn from his mistakes and regroup.

 

 

Kevin Kisner: Leading the pack and how!

 

 

 

                                               Kevin Kisner is definitely on a roll 

 

When Kevin Kisner posted his five-under 66 just after 12:30 p.m. local time in Scotland, it certainly didn't feel like he'd be leading the Open Championship at day's end. There were still 44 more groups to come in behind him, and with Carnoustie's greens looking as receptive as they'll be all week, chances were that someone would go lower.

 

But no one did on Thursday, and Kisner's round, which featured just 22 putts, held up, giving him a one-shot lead over Erik Van Rooyen, Zander Lombard and Tony Finau. It's Kisner's best round in the Open, and likely one of the best putting performances of his career given the circumstances. It also didn't come without some hard work.

 

 

The leaderboard on the opening day was dominated by some of the unexpected names like Kisner E van Rooyen, Z. Lombard, T. Finau, B Steele and more. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiger still has it at the Open

 

 

 

 

                                    Woods still has a chance to make The Open his 15th major championship title

 

 

Tiger Woods shot even-par 71 in the first round at Carnoustie, leaving him five shots behind the leader Kevin Kisner. Woods still has a chance to make The Open his 15th major championship title, and his first in 10 years. But even if Woods and his stiff, 42-year-old neck ultimately falters on the toughest course in the Open rotation, Thursday offered a stark reminder of the magnitude of Tiger's star power and the impact it has had on those who idolized him in his prime and still idolize him now.

 

 

MORE INTERESTING SNIPPETS

 

• Brendan Steele wins the longest drive competition, with an average of 373 yards from the tee. Monstrous.
• This is the first time Tiger Woods has been under par through the first front nine of a major since the 2013 US PGA Championship.
• Jordan Spieth was making a decent fist of getting his hands on the Claret Jug again less than a week after handing it back when he reached three-under after 11 holes, though he then dropped four shots in the final four to head for the clubhouse at one over and in a philosophical mood.
• Justin Rose, one of the American’s playing partners, finished with the same opening score but with a sense of relief after what had become a difficult day in mid-round. Both players remain firmly in contention here but they will need to progress in their second rounds.