Phachara Khongwatmai plays a shot out of the tall grass - a place he found himself too often on Day 1 of The Open. Spieth, world No.3 and twice major champion, putted smoothly to pick up five birdies and did not drop a shot after fierce crosswinds buffeted the early starters. Koepka, who won the U.S. Open last month, hit three successive birdies from the 11th hole before making his only bogey at the 16th. England's Ian Poulter, runner-up in the 2008 Open on this course, managed four birdies and one bogey in a solid round of 67. Many players struggled in the conditions, however, and American Mark O'Meara endured a day to forget on his return to the course where he won the 1998 Open.

Source: Bangkok Post July 20, 2017 19:52 UTC