• Open Championship: What They Said

Dried greens create debate among players

Phil Mickelson had something to say about the course setup, after he completed an opening round 69 in the early part of the day. It sparked something of a debate among golfers.

"I got very lucky to play early today because as the day wore on and we got to the back nine, about a third of every green started to die and become brown," he said. "And the pins were very edgy, on the slopes. The guys that played early had a huge, huge break. Because even without any wind, it's beyond difficult."

Ian Poulter supported Mickelson's comments in his inimitable style, tweeting: "Unfortunately the guys this afternoon will struggle with a few pin positions. 8th hole is a joke, 18th needs a windmill & clown face."

Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson defended Muirfield against its early critics.

"We will take it into account tonight when we decide our green keeping strategy overnight, just how we are going to set the course up tomorrow. I do understand that some players get very frustrated. Ian Poulter I know bogeyed three of the last four holes - hardly likely to be in the best of moods. But Ian's comments will be noted, and we'll have a look at it. We are still very satisfied that the course is playable, but very testing."

Elsewhere, the early drama surrounded Rory McIlroy, who impressed exactly nobody with his 79. The Northern Irishman sounded distressed with his play in the aftermath.

"I've got to try to think a bit more, I'm trying to concentrate," he said. "I can't really fathom it at the minute. It's so brain dead. I feel like I've been walking around like that for the last month. It's being fully focused on each and every thing. It's something I've never experienced before."

McIlroy's score was matched by birthday boy Sir Nick Faldo, although the Englishman was somewhat more content.

"Given my most minimal practice and preparation in the history of the Open, probably," Faldo said, when asked if he was happy. "The golf course is tough. It's hard work. It's like glass now. But I was enjoying it. That view standing on the first tee with the crowd and the people in the stands and everything, that was... I'll take that one as my shot of the day..."

Zach Johnson held the clubhouse lead from early in the day, an impressive round of 66 that put him on his own at six-under. He said: "I hit solid shots and putted really, really well. I appreciate what this tournament demands and it's probably my favourite tournament to play. You have to have every shot and it magnifies one's weaknesses."

Past champion Mark O'Meara was one surprising finisher at four-under. He said: "I was pleased with the way I was swinging and striking the ball. It's good to get off to good start and have a good finish. You have to be cautious on the greens and be aggressive, but not too aggressive. I don't think the pin positions are unfair. If the wind had got up to 30mph then fair enough, but the wind wasn't blowing that hard. I've played in 25-plus Open championships and I've seen conditions far worse."

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