Thursday was the day to get it done at Royal Troon.
The outward nine was the place to get it done.
Patrick Reed went out early Thursday and got it done.
Reed, coming into the Open Championship after a solid showing at the Scottish Open last week, got his day going on the third hole when he jarred a wedge shot from 139 yards out for an eagle two that propelled him to a five-under par 31. He held on for dear life over the incredibly difficult inward nine and finished with 66, a record tying first-round number at Royal Troon.
“Any time you shoot a number like that you need help from the conditions,” Reed acknowledged after his near-flawless round. “I had 139 yards at three, the same number I had at the first hole. Hit it solid and yeah, that really got the round going.”
Reed overcame two inward nine bogeys with a pair of birdies, including one at the 18th. He took total advantage of sunny skies, lighter winds and a nice pace of play.
Same for another young American — Justin Thomas. Thomas, like Reed, went out in 31 and like Reed, had only 24 putts for his round. “Obviously great scoring conditions,” Thomas said after his great start. “Anytime you shoot 67 in a major you’re happy.”
Steve Stricker scored one for the approaching-50 set. He joined Thomas at 67 along with Billy Horschel.
The best player in the world had a struggle in his opening effort. While birdies were there for the taking, Jason Day didn’t take many. He ended up with 73 and will look back an know he didn’t take advantage of the generous weather conditions. Jordan Spieth struggled with his putter. He used it 33 times on his way to an even par round of 71.
Rory McIlroy, the 2014 Open Championship who couldn’t defend his title last year at St. Andrews due to a twisted ankle, came up with a 69 that put him in contention for a possible fifth major title.
Fifth-ranked Bubba Watson started out on fire. He was five-under par through his first seven holes and missed two very makeable eagle putts. But Bubba came crashing back to earth at the infamous 124-yard eighth hole — The Postage Stamp. He hit his tee shot in the “Coffin Bunker” left of the green and five shots later, walked off the short hole with a triple-bogey six. He would go on to finish with a 70.
Justin Rose put up a 68 and confirmed it was the day to score.
“Today was that day and you saw people respond today but the back nine still gets your attention.”
