Clear sky, little wind, umbrella stored in the bag and short sleeves. The always treacherous British climate gave golfers a truce at the premiere of the 151st edition of the British Open and it was Royal Liverpool who was in charge of trying to stop their onslaught, confirming that he is a legendary links allowing just 31 players to beat them on such a peaceful day. But not all fell into their traps and there were those who knew how to dribble their defenses and dodge their bunkers like mastery. Like Tommy Fleetwood, one of the greatest idols of the local fans.
Fleetwood (32) is from Southport, a beautiful coastal city neighboring Liverpool, and knows the area's courses like few others, many and almost all magnificent, including three from The Open rotation: Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham. With a ready smile in his pack and a light-hearted manner on and off the pitch, Fleetwood has always been a fan favourite. A adoration that spread from England to the rest of Europe as soon as he began to mischief on the DP World Tour and that is now also gaining ground in the United States.
Located in one of the early matches of the first day, the skilful English player was gaining strokes on the course little by little, pressing the accelerator at the end with three birdies in the last five holes for a total of 66 shots (-5), equaling his best card in the most prestigious tournament in the world. With this result, no one could take him out of the lead all day, only matched by Emiliano Grillo and the surprising amateur Lamprecht, one of the sensations of the day.
Fleetwood, a six-time European winner, is still chasing his first Grand Slam tournament, a road that is taking longer than expected despite the fact that he has already knocked on the door several times. In fact, he has been second in the two Opens (British and American), fifth in the PGA and 14th in the Masters. Maybe playing at home gives him the final push he needs, but that's a long way to go.
The one who was not at all comfortable in Hoylake was Jon Rahm, who suffered more than he enjoyed despite the non-negotiable affection of the knowledgeable English public. The one from Barrika was especially weighed down by the putt, with which he was not fine at all. His 18th hole was the best summary of the day, having to take the ball back into the bunker on the green after pulling two at par 5, condemned to bogey. Rahm shared a match with Rory McIlroy, another of the great favourites, who was not able to start at any time and finished even, although still with full options.
Of the eight Spanish golfers, only Adrián Otaegui was able to beat the course, but he did it masterfully. The player from San Sebastian signed six birdies and two bogeys for a total of -4, just one shot from the lead. The most pleasant surprise of the day for the Armada, too full of bogeys, with Pablo Larrazábal and Nacho Elvira, both with 1, following in their footsteps.
