Little-known David Lingmerth is chasing history at the 144th British Open at St Andrews after a blistering opening nine holes in the first round at the Old Course.

Lingmerth, a winner on the US PGA tour at the Memorial Tournament in June, started his debut British Open on fire.

The Florida-based Swede carded an amazing seven birdies to shoot 29 and tie the front-nine course record at St Andrews at a British Open with Australian Ian Baker-Finch (1990), Paul Broadhurst (1990) and Tony Jacklin (1970).

Only Denis Durham’s 28 at Royal Birkdale in 1983 sits ahead of the Swede’s efforts in British Open history.

No player in the history of all major championships has ever bettered 63 for 18 holes and the 10-under mark at St Andrews is under serious threat in relatively soft and benign conditions on Thursday morning.

Out of the gates Lingmerth birdied his opening four holes and then had to settle for a par on the gettable par-five fifth.

Not to be deterred, he knocked in three more birdies in his next four holes for the magical 29.

American Robert Streb is another on pace for a record-breaking morning after opening with a five-under 31 to be second, while Ireland’s Paul Dunne and Dane Thomas Bjorn also negotiated the opening nine in just 32 shots.

Australian Rod Pampling, who earlier opened the tournament is one under through 12 holes and Matt Jones is also one under through nine.