British Open -- First Round Wrap-Up

The 2003 British Open -- the last one played at Royal St. George's -- ended with one of those fourth rounds where everyone keeps making bogeys. No one played particularly well, and players were slipping and sliding all over the leaderboard. Finally, Thomas Bjorn appeared to be in control. Standing on the 16th tee, he had a two-shot lead with three holes to go. But he put his drive on the par-3 16th into a bunker -- and then he took two more shots to get out of the bunker. He ended up with a double bogey, and Ben Curtis won the British Open.

Today, eight years later, Bjorn returned to Royal St. George's and was magnificent. Playing in the morning, when conditions were relatively difficult, he shot a remarkable 5-under 65. He even birdied the 16th hole. Miguel Jimenez, the 47-year-old Spaniard, shot a 66 in the morning. Bjorn and Jimenez dominated the leaderboard for most of the day.

Unfortunately for Bjorn and Jimenez, in the late afternoon the winds went away and the course became very easy. Lots of folks took advantage. Two are of particular interest. Tom Lewis, an English amateur, shot a 65 -- the lowest score ever shot by an amateur at the British Open. He became the first amateur to lead the British Open since Michael Bonallack in 1968. Lucas Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open Champion, shot a 66 to tie Webb Simpson for Low American.

Personally, I will be surprised if Bjorn, Lewis, Jimenez, Glover, or Simpson win this tournament. I believe it is still very much up for grabs.

T1. T. Bjorn (DEN): -5 (65)
T1. Mr. T. Lewis (ENG) (a): -5 (65)

T3. M.A. Jimenez (ESP): -4 (66)
T3. L. Glover: -4 (66)
T3. W. Simpson: -4 (66)

T6. S. Dyson (ENG): -2 (68)
T6. K. Stanley: -2 (68)
T6. P. Larrazabal (ESP): -2 (68)
T6. D. Clarke (NIR): -2 (68)
T6. G. McDowell (NIR): -2 (68)
T6. M. Kaymer (GER): -2 (68)
T6. F. Andersson Hed (SWE): -2 (68)
T6. R. Barnes: -2 (68)
T6. K. Barnes (AUS): -2 (68)
T6. J. Overton: -2 (68)
T6. R. Palmer: -2 (68)
T6. J-G. Hwang (KOR): -2 (68)

Other scores of interest:

J.B. Holmes of Campbellsville shot a 1-under 69.
Phil Mickelson shot a 70, which was somewhat disappointing, as he was playing in the afternoon.
Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, and Lee Westwood each shot 71.
Ernie Els, John Daly, and Anthony Kim each shot 72.

UPDATE: Here are the latest odds from Britain on who will win the tournament:

Graeme McDowell: 11/1
Martin Kaymer: 11/1
Lee Westwood: 12/1
Rory McIlroy: 12/1
Luke Donald: 16/1