Tom Lewis and Thomas Bjorn set the pace at the first round of Open Championship
Tom Lewis and Thomas Bjorn smashed a score of five-under-par 65 in the opening round of the 140th Open Championship, to surge into a joint lead. The major tournament, which is carrying a purse of $7,300,000, is taking place
at the par-70 Royal St George Golf Club in Kent, England.
Lewis, who is still an amateur, marveled the field with his control on the irons and the putter - the two clubs that proved handy against the wind. The 20-year-old teed off alongside his teeing partner Tom Watson and soon gathered
all the attention of the former world number one, Watson. He chose the front nine as his battleground and fired three birdies within the first few hours to gear his game for the back nine.
However, on his way to the back, the amateur dropped two shots, as the wind started to pick on some pace. Despite the loss, the player did not let his nerves take their toll and remained composed. He walked towards the 14th
hole and started a birdie fiesta right from there; he carded four back-to-back birdies and left his partner, Watson awestruck.
After taking charge of the field late afternoon, Lewis hurried to the clubhouse to meet the press. While narrating his experience, the amateur said, “I was more nervous not to embarrass myself in front of him. To shoot 65 the first
round was something I would not have thought. I was just happy to get the drive off the tee on the first and that was all that mattered. To shoot 65 in front of Tom was just excellent.”
On the other hand, Watson who was marvelled at the talent of the young lad remarked, “I just had to smile inside to watch him play. We certainly have a new young breed out here, don't we?”
With this round, Lewis has set a record of posting the lowest round ever for an amateur in the Open. He broke the record of 66 set by Frank Stranahan in 1950 and emulated Tiger Woods’ record set in 1996 and that of Justin Rose in
1998. The 20-year-old has now become the first amateur to lead a round at a major since 1976.
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