(Hoylake, England) After crouching down to put his ball on the tee, Christo Lamprecht – a 6’8” giant – straightened up and slammed a resounding tee shot down the fairway from over 350 yards.
“Have you seen the size of that guy? exclaimed a spectator outside the ropes that line the 18th fairway, as the 22-year-old South African headed for his ball.
Lamprecht’s first round, an amateur golfer, at the British Open was memorable, and for many spectators too.
At some point Thursday at Royal Liverpool, Lamprecht – a student at Georgia Tech – was leading by three strokes.
He went 66 (-5), ending the first round tied for the lead with Tommy Fleetwood and Emiliano Grillo. The trio are one step ahead at the top.
The last amateur golfer to hold the No. 1 spot after Round 1 of the British Open was Tom Lewis, who shared the lead with Thomas Bjorn at Royal St. George’s in 2011.
So, was he surprised to come out of total anonymity so abruptly?
“As an amateur golfer, definitely yes,” admitted Lamprecht, who has been a top prospect in the United States for two years. But in my head, no, it doesn’t surprise me. I am very demanding of myself, and I have earned my place here. »
Earlier this month, Lamprecht won the amateur tournament at Hillside, a course an hour’s drive from the Irish Sea, earning his place in the British Open in the process.
And today, it dominates the table of the oldest major tournament on the planet. He is even ahead of his playing partner and compatriot Louis Oosthuizen by eight strokes. This result was very significant for Lamprecht, who benefited from the foundation of Oosthuizen in South Africa to hatch into the world of golf.
“I felt a little more comfortable [on the course] knowing that I was playing with someone I know very well who has always acted as a mentor to me,” Lamprecht said of the 2010 British Open champion.
“[Oosthuizen] supported me unconditionally, and he continued to do so throughout the round,” added the South African.
Fleetwood is trying to become the first Englishman to triumph at the British Open since 1969, when Tony Jacklin won.
“It was a really good score for day one,” said Fleetwood, who finished second at this tournament in 2019. “I just want to keep working hard to stay in good position. »
Antoine Rozner, Adrian Otaegui and Brian Harman are only one stroke behind. Rozner had three birdies in four holes on the front nine.
In the group at 68 is Wyndham Clark, winner of the US Open this year.
Scottie Scheffler, ranked number 1 in the world, gave a card of 70.
Rory McIlroy got away with par (71), he who has not won a major tournament since 2014. His lackluster day included three birdies and as many bogeys.
He bunkered his ball on the last hole, but a 10-foot putt ended his round with a par on that hole.
McIlroy became number 2 in the world again by winning the Scottish Open last weekend.
Defending champion Cameron Smith committed five bogeys and played 72.
That’s one shot better than Canadians Corey Conners and Nick Taylor. The latter also entered five bogeys.
Phil Mickelson struggled with a score of 77, including a triple bogey on the 18th hole. He won this tournament in 2013.
