Adam Scott will have some of the biggest names in world golf hunting him down in the second round of the British Open on Friday.
Scott stole Tiger Woods’s thunder with a spectacular course record-equalling 64 in the opening round at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
But Woods, the three-times champion and Open favourite, is among a dozen players, including seven major winners within three shots of Scott on a star-studded leaderboard.
Lancashire’s famous links course was left defenceless on a breathless and rain-free opening morning and, in total, 22 players finished day one in red numbers.
Scott’s countrymen Marcus Leishman and Brendan Jones are among the pursuing pack at one under after firing 69s.
Woods is tied for sixth at three under after giving up the outright lead when he faltered on the back nine as Scott sizzled with five birdies in seven holes.
“I look up on the board and Scotty is going pretty low and so is everyone else,” Woods said.
“I felt I had to make a few more and I was able to. I played well, I really hit it well. I was very close on making a few more putts.
“Every ball was starting right on my line. I was very pleased with that. I’ve just got to hit the putts a little harder.
“I’m very pleased with what I did today. We’ve got a long way to go.”
Scot Paul Lawrie, the 1999 champion, capitalised on a birdie-birdie-birdie start to finish one off the lead along with American Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts.
Brandt Snedeker is one shot further back, ahead of fellow American Steve Stricker, major winners Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Ernie Els and Graeme McDowell, plus Swede Peter Hanson and Japan’s Toshinori Muto, all at three under with Woods.
Veteran Els continued his revival after storming home for ninth at last month’s US Open.
“The US Open was a good little test for me. That final round I felt good and it’s all about confidence and it’s starting to grow a little bit in me,” the South African said.
“So today was a big day. You don’t want to play yourself out of it. You can’t win it today, but you can get yourself too far behind, so I’m pleased with the round.”
McIlroy, the world No.2 and runaway winner of last year’s US Open, laughed off a double-bogey at the 15th hole – when he hit a spectator in the head on the bounce with his tee shot before the ball rolled out of bounds – to card his 67.
“If he could have headed it the other way, it would have been in the fairway,” McIlroy joked.
“I thought I did well to keep my composure and keep my concentration and finish the way I did.”
Of the other frontline contenders, England’s world No.1 Luke Donald and Ireland’s two-times Open champion Padraig Harrington had even-par 70s, as did Australians John Senden and rookie Aaron Townsend.
But it was not a good start for England’s world No.3 Lee Westwood, who returned a 73 despite opening with two straight birdies, or defending champion Darren Clarke (76).
“I don’t think you could publish my thoughts right now,” Clarke said after the Northern Irishman’s struggles since collecting the Claret Jug last year continued.
“I tried my best on every shot, but unfortunately it wasn’t there again today.”
