Jimenez leads after first day at Turnberry

Miguel Angel Jimenez holds a one shot lead after firing a a flawless six under par 64 on the first day of the Open Championship at Turnberry.

The Spaniard went out late and birdied the 17th and 18th to steal the lead away from Americans Tom Watson and Ben Curtis who had earlier posted 65s.

The American duo were joined by little-known Japanese player Kenichi Kuboya who teed off in the third-to-last group of the day and played his last four holes in five under par.

John Senden, Steve Stricker, Camilo Villegas, Stewart Cink and Matthew Goggin all finished on four under par.

A total of 50 players finished under par on a vitually windless day on the Ayrshire coast, but Tiger Woods was not one of them.

Playing alongside Lee Westwood and Ryo Ishikawa, the world number one could only manage a 71 as he struggled to control his ball off the tee.

It was a relatively disappointing day for the Brits as Westwood’s 68 was the best score from a homegrown player.

This was matched by Anthony Wall, Graeme McDowell, David Howell and Paul Casey but last year’s runner-up Ian Poulter endured a disappointing 75.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington posted a solid 69 despite some poor recent form.

With the weather set to stay fair tomorrow morning, with a chance of wind and rain in the afternoon it looks like the early starters will hold he advantage and the cut may fall at around +2.