Robert MacIntyre cards 67 as Open round one heats up
Robert MacIntyre opened The Open Championship with a disciplined three-under 67 at Royal Birkdale, posting four birdies and one bogey to sit in the clubhouse at three under. The Scot's early start alongside Rickie Fowler and Alex Fitzpatrick put him firmly in contention as Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm pushed through their morning rounds.
Key Takeaways
- Robert MacIntyre signed for a 67 (four birdies, one bogey) and sat three under in the clubhouse after round one at Royal Birkdale.
- England's Dan Brown and South Korea's Sungjae Im led at four under through 17 holes as the early wave finished.
- Defending champion Scottie Scheffler was three under through nine; Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm were both one under through eight.
- MacIntyre said beforehand he now knows that if he plays well he has a chance to win the Claret Jug.
Round one of the 154th Open is under way on the Lancashire links, and the early story belongs to Scotland's number one. For more celebrity and sports breaking coverage, follow BlasterPost Celebrity Breaking News.
How did Robert MacIntyre start his Open at Royal Birkdale?
MacIntyre teed off at 07:19 BST with Fowler and Alex Fitzpatrick. He closed with a three-under 67, a score BBC Sport described as very solid and disciplined after he saved par on the 18th.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live afterwards, MacIntyre said he was "delighted" and felt he was "in the place I want to be," stressing the need to manage the ball and stay out of Birkdale's bunkers. Fitzpatrick carded a one-under 69 in the same group.
According to BBC Sport's live Open coverage, Thomas Detry also posted 67, leaving both in the clubhouse at three under while Im and Brown pushed to four under late in their rounds.
Why does Robert MacIntyre believe he can win the Claret Jug?
Ahead of the championship, the 29-year-old world top-20 player told BBC Sport he is a much improved golfer from his major debut at Royal Portrush in 2019, when he finished sixth behind Shane Lowry.
"In 2019, I felt like I was just being part of the tournament," MacIntyre said. "Whereas now, I come here and I know that if I play well, I've got a chance to win." He arrived after finishing third at the Scottish Open and is making his first competitive visit to Royal Birkdale as a two-time European Ryder Cup player.
He called the course strategic after a brutal Monday practice in strong winds, saying greens in regulation and smart iron play off the tee are the keys on fast-running fairways.
Where are Scheffler, Fleetwood and Rahm after the morning wave?
World number one and defending champion Scheffler teed off at 09:58 BST with Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau and reached three under through nine holes. Home favourite Fleetwood, grouped with Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm from 10:09, was one under through eight alongside Rahm, while 2017 Birkdale champion Spieth sat two over.
Rory McIlroy's tilt begins later at 15:15 BST with Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick. With afternoon wind expected to rise, MacIntyre's 67 could prove a handy marker in a wide-open Claret Jug chase.