23 July, 2017
He topped the leaderboard overnight along with compatriots Jordan Spieth, the number-three ranked former Masters and US Open champion, and Brooks Koepka, the reigning US Open champion.
The giant American, chasing a first major at the age of 39, had three birdies and four bogeys in a mixed bag of a day at Royal Birkdale as he shot a one-over round of 71.
When Kuchar three-putted the 16th his deficit was three, and while the elder man birdied 17 to stay in touch, Spieth's nerveless 15-foot putt on the last stretched that lead back out.
What stands out is St. Andrews in 2015, when the 23-year-old Texan was going for the third leg of the Grand Slam and missed the playoff by one shot.
Spieth said the eagle on 15 was crucial in regaining some momentum for his round. "So it hasn't really sunk in, I don't think yet".
"That's one of the cool things over here, whether it's Thursday or Friday, whatever your morning round is, getting to go back to the room, put on the TV and watch the guys play in the afternoon, and particularly in tough conditions". I hit a few good shots out there.
The Spaniard eagled the very next hole and said: "That definitely cheered me up a little bit, but at the same time I didn't know if I was going to be able to finish the round". At the age of 38 - after 13 years struggling as a pro - he was playing in his first British Open and just hoping for a respectable outing.
"Unfortunately it's the first cut I've missed this year and I missed it with flair", said Mickelson. Mark O'Meara, a victor at Royal Birkdale in 1998 who is playing in his last British Open, hit the opening tee shot.
I opened my curtains this morning to see wind and rain lashing the bedroom window and I thought we might be in for a really interesting first day at the Open Championship. "Today is my day".
Two-time major victor Jordan Spieth gave himself nine out of 10 after beginning his bid to secure the third leg of a career grand slam in impressive fashion in the 146th Open Championship.
"It wasn't a great feeling knowing we were coming into something harder than what we were watching", he said.
"Anytime you're in the last group on a weekend in the major.you get nervous", he said.
"I'm gutted I didn't bring him this week, to be fair", he said.
"But I enjoy it because as long as I approach it positively and recognise that this is what you want to feel because you're in a position you want to be in, then the easier it is to hit solid shots and to create solid rounds". "I feel like I certainly have as good a chance as anybody". "There will be nerves, for sure, next couple of days but, again, control the ball off the tee, takes care of a lot of it".
Kuchar, who's never won a major, was asked if he's buoyed by Henrik Stenson breaking through for the first time previous year. While winning the U.S. Open, he proved he could make birdies in bunches, so expect him to bounce back Saturday if the weather improves.
