British Open 2010: Rory McIlroy ties record; John Daly, Tiger Woods in pursuit

ST. Andrews, Scotland - the strangest thing happened here Thursday morning when the light broke over the Old Course and the British Open began. There was a lamp suitable for a summer day in the North Sea. It is, from time to time, drizzle. But the relentless wind and cold rain, which made St. Andrews a poor place for golf Wednesday gone. What remains, at least half the players on the morning of the first round draw, is defenseless new study that could be taken, if only part of the day and with different players.

Rory McIlroy Northern Ireland led the way with an exciting, almost flawless 9-under-par 63 that showed his talent and flair on stage, he most relishes. 63 tied the record for lowest round in major championship and put 21-year-old McIlroy able to maintain a major seriously for the first time in his career promising.

"You're just trying to get lower and lower," said McIlroy. "No negative thoughts come to mind."

Which in the ordinary course demanding old is remarkable. In the storylines, as morning turned to afternoon in Scotland were almost too many to choose. The names of the leader board, among those players who are ready played by early afternoon here: John Daly and one of his playing partners, Scotland Andrew Coltart, with 66 tons, and Tiger Woods leads a group at 67, including 2009 champion of the US Open Lucas Glover.

"We were happy this morning," said Coltart. "The course is very benign. If benign conditions get guys to go low here."

All this happened a couple of stars - including Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, the US Open champion Graeme McDowell of them - even teed off. And when they do, the sun is really starting to crack through. St. Andrews probably will never be more vulnerable as the rain serves to soften the greens, but there was no wind to bite back in this area.
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"It was great, especially because I thought today would be as was yesterday," said Fairfax born Steve Marino, who went in the first group of the day - a 6:30 pm start time - and shot a bogey no 69. "This is what everyone says. I woke up this morning and looked outside and there was no wind, and I could not believe it. Out here, I was actually kind of sweating on the driving range this morning."

So the story begins to stand together. Nothing is more surprising than that of Daly, the 1995 Open champion on this very course, his favorite in the world, whose travails are included relief from five PGA Tour. But Daly, 66 came before an adoring crowd, which appeared to appreciate the honesty with which it addresses its shortcomings - and they are numerous - and he made only one bogey, tying Coltart, one of his partners play. As he approached the 18th green signs in the gallery down the street to read the Daily for president and John Daly living legend. "

"For me, it's just a golf course which not only brings great memories, but it's memory before you've ever had because of all the great players who have won and played," said Daly. "This is a special place. This is for me, my favorite walk around the world I have ever played. When you have that going for you, do not feel disappointed when you do not play so well, but feel even better when playing well. "

No story is more intriguing, though, of the Woods. In statistics, the best player in the world coming into this week: six tournament wins and no nagging questions of a curious British press corps for the state of his marriage after he cheated disgusting revelations late last year. Woods, however, is very convenient between the ropes here. He bought the old school in 2000 and 2005, when he delivered two of his most convincing victories in major championships, and his lone bogey came at 17 when he drove into thick rough left and missed a four- lower for the money - a new putter this week, he debuted his first putter changed since 1999.

However, Woods felt comfortable, he said, as a stick and his circle.

"He felt uncomfortable because there was absolutely no wind either," said Woods. "And never played links golf course, without wind."

McIlroy made seven birdies and eagled the ninth, equal management of green-4. But he really could have gone lower, because he hit an approach into the 17th, dangerous road hole to five meters. Perhaps his only mistake of the day is that he missed a stalemate, and it cost him his first major championship in 62 history.

"This thing went through my mind at 17 that 62 would be the lowest score in a major," said McIlroy. "This is probably failed because the stalemate."

However, he birdied the last - maybe a wedge to five feet - to 63 in the first major championship since Woods matched numbers play in the PGA Championship in 2007 in South Hills. There are seven 63s in the British Open, including St. Paul Broudharst Andrews in the third round in 1990 but none in the first round.

McIlroy did, too, knowing that half the field still had to take account of course, that three rounds remaining, and that St. Andrews determined.

"You never get to St. Andrews to play easier," he said.