HOYLAKE, England — The final men’s golf major of the year is here as the first round of the 2023 British Open is underway at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England.
There are 156 golfers teeing off Thursday, including all three major winners this year: Jon Rahm (Masters), Brooks Koepka (PGA Championship) and Wyndham Clark (U.S. Open). Reigning champion Cameron Smith is also back to defend his title.
Most of the golf world is also watching Rory McIlroy, who won the British Open in 2014, the last time the tournament was played at Royal Liverpool. That tournament also marks the last time McIlroy won a major championship.
Follow along with Golfweek and USA TODAY Sports for first-round Open Championship action from Royal Liverpool:
LIVE LEADERBOARD: The Open Championship Tournament Leaderboard Scores, Schedules, Pairings and More
Christo Lamprecht, a rising senior at Georgia Tech standing 6-foot-8, became the third South African winner of the Amateur Championship in the last six years with his victory last month. He also helped Georgia Tech to a national runner-up finish in the NCAA Championship in May.
He certainly got comfortable early at Royal Liverpool, firing a 66 to take the early lead on Thursday.
An opening 66 for the 6’8″ South African.
He is the clubhouse leader at The 151st Open. https://t.co/Am5DPU4yM7
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2023
That led to our Adam Schupak coining the lanky golfer with a new name.
66 for The Lamp Post ™️ Christo Lamprecht. I’m in the process of copywriting that nickname. What do you think?
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) July 20, 2023
Coverage started Thursday at 1:30 a.m. ET on the Peacock streaming service. USA Network will have live TV coverage at 4 a.m. ET until 3 p.m., with Peacock resuming coverage until 4 p.m.
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