What will Phil do next at British Open?

Patrick Reed holds the clubhouse lead at The Open, but described the difference between the front and back nine at Royal Troon as “David versus Goliath”.

Aided by birdies on 10, 14, 16 and 17 on Royal Troon’s tricky back nine, the 46-year-old American posted a 63, equalling the record low for majors first set by Johnny Miller in the 1973 US Open.

However, that was only good enough for a one-shot lead over Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who carded seven birdies and one bogey in a superb 65 to finish nine under par.

“I think there is a lot of pressure off me given the fact that I’ve already got one”. He was putting for 62, a score never shot in a major championship. “I don’t know how that ball missed because it was flawless speed in the center with a foot to go”.

Curtis chipped onto the green and two-putted for 10. He had to hack out of the hay back into the fairway, and then hit his next shot back into the hay. “You have to be on your game, you have to stick to your game plan”.

Of the seven previous players to open with a 63 in a major, only Nicklaus at the 1980 U.S. Open and Raymond Floyd at the 1982 PGA Championship went on to win.

If Reed and the likes of Justin Thomas (-4), Justin Rose (-3) and Rory McIlroy (-2) had work to do given the weather forecast, Jordan Spieth (E) and Jason Day (+2) were in danger of being out of contention as they prepared to tee off again.

The Northern Irishman’s effort that year also came in the first round and gave him a two-stroke lead over South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen.

“That was really a salty little shot”, explained Mickelson, who wore a black all-weather glove on each hand to combat the intermittent downpours.

It was a far cry from Thursday, when Mickelson didn’t come close to making bogey on his way to a record-tying 63.

“It was a great day”, Kjeldsen said after a flawless 68.

All three seemed to be well-positioned for the second day, but Kaymer at least was not getting ahead of himself. “I just say my prayers”, added Sordet.

“I enjoy these adverse conditions, it is challenging”. You don’t stay inside because you would miss too many days. I do thrive in this.

“I’m probably going to get in trouble for that and probably shouldn’t have said it”.

A battalion of fellow Americans – continuing their affinity with the Ayrshire links where the last six Open winners have been from the United States – are chasing, led by Patrick Reed, who like Mickelson warmed up for this week at the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart. “I knew it, and I saw that ball rolling right in the center”. But so far so good. But the way he played out there today, it’s unbelievable he’s only won one Open Championship. It might be a dozen or 15 in total. “It would have been nice to pick up one in the last three, but as I said something in the 60s was a solid start”.

Look for Mickelson to ride the crest of his superb opening round to an even-par 71 on Friday, assuming he can complete his round.

“You’ve got to play really good golf and hole some putts but there’s no reason why I can’t get a good score and get myself within shouting distance of the leaders”, he said as the gentle waves of the Irish Sea caressed the sandy beaches on the west coast of Scotland.

“It’s one of these golf courses that it allows you to get off to a quick start and allows you to get nearly overconfident and cocky”.