Young Australian golfer Bryden Macpherson has endured a British Open nightmare, shooting the tournament’s worst round opening round in 15 years.

In a round reminiscent of compatriot Ian Baker-Finch’s infamous capitulation 17 years ago, 23-year-old Victorian Macpherson carded a horror eighteen-over-par 90 in the first round at Royal Liverpool on Thursday.

It was the highest first-round score since American Tom Gillis also shot 90 at Carnoustie in 1999, two years after Baker-Finch’s opening 92 at Royal Troon in 1997 that prompted the 1991 Open champion to retire at the age of 35.

Macpherson, a former British Amateur champion competing in his third major and second Open, had a round that included one quadruple bogey, one treble, three doubles and five bogeys despite favourable conditions at Hoylake.

To his credit, Macpherson pulled himself together to finish with four straight pars while he also fronted up to face the media and discuss his bemusement with the performance.

“I’ve never experienced the yips before but I got some form of it out there around (holes) seven, eight, nine,” said Macpherson, who was 12 over through holes 10 to 14.

“I don’t really know. I was out there seeing my shot, feeling the swing, hitting the shot and they weren’t going where I wanted them to go.

“It’s a bit of a snowball effect too. You hit a few bad shots then you start wondering about what everyone’s thinking, what everyone’s going to ask after you play.

“Then you just have no idea where it’s going.

“I think my swing is somewhere on the ninth tee.”

Baker-Finch was in tears 17 years ago after a performance that ultimately proved the final straw in his form struggles.

Macpherson, though, who announced his potential in 2011 by becoming only the second Australian to win the British Amateur championship, vowed to use his round as motivation.

“There’s a classic quote from Rocky; `it’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep going’,” Macpherson said.

“I really felt good about my game coming into today and I certainly didn’t expect that.

“I know I’m better than that so I’ll try to use today in a positive way, remember how bad it feels and how embarrassed you are so you never want to feel that way again.”