Paul Broadhurst hit the first shot of the 138th Open at Turnberry’s Ailsa Course on Thursday, finding the left centre of the fairway with a utility wood off the first tee.
IVOR ROBSON Picture © Getty ImagesOn a calm, sun-splashed morning, Broadhhurst was followed by New Zealander Michael Campbell and former champion Mark Calcavecchia of the U.S. who also found the fairway at the par-four opening hole.
Title holder Padraig Harrington of Ireland, seeking a rare Open hat-trick, was scheduled to tee off at 1420 local (1320 GMT) in the company of American Jim Furyk and Australian Geoff Ogilvy.
The biggest galleries of the day, though, are likely to follow world number one Tiger Woods, who will play the first two rounds with Britain’s Lee Westwood and Japanese teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa.
Woods, in pursuit of a 15th major crown this week, was set to launch his bid for a fourth British Open title at 0909.
Although the American always attracts a huge following wherever he plays along with hordes of photographers, the 17-year-old Ishikawa is also a big drawcard as one of Japan’s biggest sporting celebrities.
“There will be a lot of people inside the ropes,” said Woods, referring to the photographers and reporters who will follow the trio. “It will be interesting.
“I’ve been there before but Ryo hasn’t. He hasn’t done it in a major championship yet but he certainly has had to deal with a lot at a very young age and he’s handled it well.”
U.S. Masters champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina had a 1409 teeoff with British world number three Paul Casey and Japan’s Ryuji Imada.
Other notable threesomes include 2002 champion Ernie Els, U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover and Germany’s in-form Martin Kaymer.
Young guns Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and American Anthony Kim will play in the company of double U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa.
Conditions are expected to remain mainly dry for the rest of the day with light breezes and sunny spells and a slight chance of showers in the afternoon.
