• Open Championship

Bjorn free from memories of 2003 after opening 65

Thomas Bjorn was proud of the mental strength he showed as he carded a first round 65 at the Open Championship on Thursday, on the same course where he infamously threw away the Claret Jug eight years ago.

In 2003, Bjorn came to the par-three 16th on Sunday with a two-shot lead and just three holes to play. But a double-bogey effectively put paid to his chances, as the unheralded Ben Curtis claimed victory. This year, however, the Dane saw a fortuitous bounce on the very same hole allow him to roll in the seventh birdie of his opening round on the way to the clubhouse lead at five-under.

Asked a number of question about the effect of 2003 on his day, the 40-year-old insisted he had been able to put it completely out of his mind.

"A lot of people have asked me about what I feel about the 2003 Open. I mean, it's in the past," Bjorn said. "I've worked very hard in my career to get myself in those positions. I got close at Baltusrol in the [2005] USPGA, and that was kind of why I could put it to bed - I knew I [still] had the game to win major championships.

"I always look ahead. I'm 40, and there might just be a little bit more in me.

"That hole [the 16th] owes nobody anything, and no hole in golf does, and no golf course does.

"We all know what it's like; a bounce here or there and then it goes either wrong or right. And today it went my way."

After getting into the tournament as an alternate on Monday evening, Bjorn revealed the one practice round he had prior to Thursday was also the first time he had been back on the Sandwich course since 2003.

After winning on the European Tour earlier in the year, Bjorn took time away from the game after the passing of his father. He subsequently lost his form and his results in recent weeks have been poor, but he revealed a lesson on the range with coach Pete Cowan had helped him rediscover some faith in his golf swing.

"I've been uncomfortable on the course for a long time. But I did a lot of work with Pete yesterday, and some things just started to make a little bit of sense," Bjorn said. "I'll go over and see him now.

"I'm proud of how I carried it all the way to the end. I never really let my mind wander, and I stayed with my golf. I was very pleased with that today."

When asked what his dad would have made of his round, however, Bjorn could not contain his emotions.

"Well, he meant a lot to me," a tearful Bjorn said, after taking a few moments to collect himself. "He would have been very proud of what I did today."

The former Ryder Cup assistant captain is not allowing himself to think about an opportunity for redemption at St George's come Sunday just yet, however.

"If I can last all the way until Sunday, well, only time will tell," he said. "But I'm very, very delighted with today."

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