Tommy Fleetwood faces the difficult task of not thinking about a rare English victory as the 149th Open Championship continues at Royal St George's on Friday.
A superb 67 in the tougher afternoon conditions left Fleetwood just three shots off the lead held by Louis Oosthuizen and dreaming of becoming the first English winner since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992.
"Growing up watching the Open it gives very, very special feelings whenever the event comes around," said Fleetwood, who was second to Shane Lowry at Royal Portrush in 2019.
"It brings an amazing opportunity to accomplish a dream. It brings its challenges of the more you want something, the harder it is to stay present,
the harder it is to focus on all the things that you try and do week in, week out.
"I love the Open so much. I love links golf. I love the history of this event and yeah, it's been a long time since an Englishman has won the Open and I would love to be the next one."
Oosthuizen, who won at St Andrews in 2010 and lost a play-off at the same venue five years later, carded a flawless opening 64 to enjoy a one-shot lead over 2017 champion Jordan Spieth and Brian Harman, with 2009 winner Stewart Cink part of a five-strong group on four under.
Fleetwood led the home challenge alongside major champions Danny Willett and Justin Rose, while Rory McIlroy birdied two of his last five holes to shoot level par as US PGA winner Phil Mickelson slumped to an 80.
Tweet of the day
Sergio Garcia was late for his pre-round warmup due to traffic.
"I needed a little bit of help from a couple of very nice English policemen on the bikes to get me here with only about 35, 40 minutes to tee off." pic.twitter.com/9hUyevohK5
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) July 15, 2021
Golf writer Jason Sobel takes a comic view of Sergio Garcia's traffic troubles on the way to the course
Quote of the day
Bryson DeChambeau's claim that his driver "sucks" was met with a withering response from manufacturers Cobra.
Shot of the day
Brandt Snedeker went on a remarkable run during his opening round at #The Open, narrowly missing out on a hole-in-one at the par-three 16th and then making a hole-out eagle at the next hole! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/sxZp5LZgVk
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 15, 2021
Brandt Snedeker almost made a hole-in-one on the 16th and then made a second consecutive two on the 17th.
Round of the day
More work to be done 👊🏼 @TheOpen #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/v8zw0icrik
— Louis Oosthuizen (@Louis57TM) July 15, 2021
Former champion Louis Oosthuizen got off to a brilliant start with a bogey-free 64.
Statistic of the day
Marcel Siem needs a par at 18 to shoot 67 at The Open on his birthday.
The last player to shoot 67 or better at #TheOpen on their birthday?
Marcel Siem in 2010.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) July 15, 2021
Germany's Marcel Siem qualified by winning a Challenge Tour event and enjoyed a very happy birthday on Thursday.
Toughest hole
The 15th played back into the wind and to a scoring average of 4.365. Just seven of the 156-strong field managed a birdie.
Easiest hole
The par-five 14th was straight downwind and Rory McIlroy reached it with two long irons to set up one of 80 birdies on the day. The hole played to an average of 4.577.
Weather forecast
A breezy and overcast start with breaks in the cloud possible by mid-late morning bringing sunny intervals. Any remaining cloud will clear leaving dry, sunny spells. Winds easing a little at 15-20mph.
Key tee times
1020 – Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed (USA), Cameron Smith (Aus)
1426 – Bryson DeChambeau (USA), Branden Grace (Rsa), Jordan Spieth (USA)
1437 – Brian Harman (USA), Mackenzie Hughes (Can), Dylan Frittelli (Rsa)
1459 – Shane Lowry, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Jon Rahm (Spa)
