round one snippets

Many of the main contenders were joslting for position in round one of The Open at Royal St George’s and some were certainly happier than others.

Ian Poulter shot a steady 69 and is currently one under, four behind Great Dane Thomas Bjorn.

Poulter said: “It would have been disappointing to have finished over par today wiith the shots that I executed. I couldn’t have asked to hit the ball any better.

“The wind direction made certain holes very, very tough. When it’s this way round the downwind holes are not easy. You just can’t stop it anywhere near the pin.”

Poulter starts his second round tomorrow at 1.43pm.

Fellow Englishman Simon Dyson went one better than Poulter and shot a 68 – two under. He said after his round: “I’m just pleased to be here because I wasn’t meant to be in the field. I got the call as a reserve and it’s great to be playing.

“I putted really well and the pace of my putts was really good. I’m just going to get out there tomorrow and enjoy it. It’s the best tournament in the world by a mile. Don’t get me wrong, The Masters is something special, but it’s nothing like an Open.”

World No1 Luke Donald had a tough day, finally battling his way round in 71 – one over par. He said: “The conditions weren’t easy and the wind was gusting. I am very happy with how I struck the ball today, but just hit a couple of loose irons on the back nine.

“I also had a couple of lip-outs. It was frustrating. But you have to stay patient, pick good lines and hit solid putts and that’s all you can do.”

There aren’t currently many players under par and if conditions stay similar tomorrow the cut is expected to be around the two over mark.