Jul 16, 2009, 13:22 GMT
Turnberry, Scotland - Tom Watson topped the early leaderboard as the British Open got underway Thursday at the Ailsa Course in Scotland's Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire while tournament favourite Tiger Woods surprisingly struggled in perfect conditions.
The 59-year-old American, who won the Open back in 1977 when it first came to Turnberry, carded a 5-under par 65 to take the early clubhouse lead, one shot clear of Steve Stricker, Camilo Villegas and Australia's John Senden, who only qualified for the event on Tuesday.
Five-time Open winner Watson, whose last Claret Jug came in 1983, started his first round strongly at the links course, birdying two of the opening three holes, followed by three further birdies on the back nine.
'It's not bad for an almost 60-year old,' said Watson. 'I played very well and kept the ball in play, and made a few putts.'
While Watson rolled back the years, an out of sorts Woods already lies six shots off the lead after carding a 1-over 71 in an erratic round that involved four bogeys and three birdies.
Senden may have only found out he was competing this week after Jeev Milka was forced to withdraw due to injury but took full advantage, shooting a bogey-free round while finishing strongly with four birdies in the final six holes.
'They were perfect conditions out there this morning,' said Senden. 'I feel that there are low scores out there today.'
Colombia's Villegas also took full advantage of the benign conditions, reeling off birdies on the final three holes to card a 66 while Calcavecchia, winner of the British Open in 1989 at nearby Troon, registered just one bogey on his way to a 67.
'It was perfect, really as nice as you can get,' said Calcavecchia. 'The course couldn't possibly play any easier.'
Mark O'Meara, Open winner in 1998, sank a birdie at the last to also finish with a 67, despite suffering a double bogey at the par-3 fourth, while Stricker birdied the final two holes of his round to lie tied for second place on 4-under.
'We played in virtually no wind today,' said Stricker. 'I felt comfortable with the course.'
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