Taylormade golfer Graeme McDowell, Callaway player Rocco Mediate and Srixon''s Robert Allenby all shot first-round 69s to share the lead at the Open Championship yesterday.
Each player finished one under par in testing conditions at Royal Birkdale, with Titleist golfer Adam Scott a single shot behind on level par alongside veteran Greg Norman and American Bart Bryant.
Driving wind and heavy rain made the Merseyside course extremely difficult for many players, particularly those who teed off in the morning – Ernie Els struggled to a first round of 80, while his fellow Callaway golfer Phil Mickelson could only manage a 79.
Mediate, who narrowly lost out to Tiger Woods at the US Open last month, described his opening day at Royal Birkdale as "fun and insane".
"It was just survival and by no means pretty," the US player said.
Two-time champion Norman was given a huge ovation by spectators at the 18th green after an impressive round which saw him recapture the form of his earlier years. The 53-year-old Australian won the Open at Turnberry in 1986 and was also victorious at Royal St George''s in 1994.
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