Open starts despite the poor conditions
Damp, overcast conditions greeted the early starters in the opening round of the 137th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale today.
Heavy rain had stopped by the time Australian Craig Parry struck the first shot at 6.30am, with England's Peter Appleyard set to be the last man to start almost 10 hours later.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington was scheduled to begin his first round just before 8am, but if his wrist injury kept him out, American Heath Slocum was ready to replace him.
Playing just two groups ahead of the Irishman's scheduled group was England's Justin Rose, inset. He was fourth as a 17-year-old amateur here 10 years ago but is back now as world number nine and European number one in 2007.
Yorkshire's early starter, Simon Dyson, parred the opening hole.
The full article contains 140 words and appears in EP Leeds First & County newspaper.
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Last Updated:
17 July 2008 8:35 AM
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Source:
EP Leeds First & County
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Location:
Leeds
