Carnoustie

With birdies dropping, the sun shining and the wind failing to arrive, the first morning at The 147th Open was certainly one to remember.

Sandy Lyle had the honour of hitting the first tee shot, which landed safely on the fairway, before he fired an opening-round 75 to enter the clubhouse at four-over par.

But it is Kevin Kisner who is the lunchtime leader after a superb 66, one shot clear of South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen – who is making his Open debut.

Van Rooyen is most looking forward to meeting Gary Player this week, but another veteran out on course struggled, with Phil Mickelson coming home at two-over par.

Carnoustie is rewarding the good shots but punishing the bad and, as Danny Willett will attest, the finish is proving mightily tricky.

The 16th and 18th holes were the toughest on the course and Willett slumped from four-under to two-under par at the end of a promising round.

Lyle later said he expects a 63 or 64 to be shot on day one, and there are plenty of players heading out who are capable of such a low score.

Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas headline the early afternoon starters, while a certain Tiger Woods is out at 3.21pm.