Justin Thomas made an impressive start at the 152nd Open Championship in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Despite some struggles in recent seasons, Thomas managed to shoot a 3-under-par 68 on the first day of the tournament, taking the early lead.
The two-time major champion recorded seven birdies, offsetting two bogeys and a double bogey. His strong performance included a chip-in birdie at the second hole, propelling him to 4 under through 11 holes. However, a mishap at the par-4 12th hole resulted in a double bogey, followed by a bogey at No. 13. Undeterred by these setbacks, Thomas birdied the 17th and 18th holes to finish the day at the top of the leaderboard.
Speaking about his game, Thomas expressed confidence in his recent progress, noting that despite not achieving the desired results, he believes he is on the right track. He emphasized the importance of focusing on his game rather than fixating on outcomes, trusting that his efforts will eventually pay off.
Other notable performances on the first day of the Open Championship included Alex Noren, Nicolai Hojgaard, Justin Rose, and Russell Henley, all finishing at 2 under. Justin Rose, in particular, delivered a bogey-free round after securing a spot in the tournament through final qualifying.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy faced challenges early on, struggling through a difficult stretch of holes that put him in danger of missing the cut. With a series of double bogeys and errant shots, McIlroy found himself 6 over through 16 holes, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the game.
As the tournament progressed, golf fans eagerly awaited the performance of top players like Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, and Collin Morikawa, who had just begun their rounds in the afternoon session. With the competition heating up, the Open Championship promised thrilling moments and fierce competition in the days to come.