• Open Championship, Round One

The Open: What They Said

John Daly rolled back the years with some fine play © Getty Images

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The Open Championship got underway on Thursday in benign conditions, following the storms of the previous day, and Rory McIlroy led the way with a round of 63.

The majority of players were happy with the conditions and here is the reaction from St Andrews.

Rory McIlroy fired the joint-lowest round in Open history with a 63 and he said: "We knew we had to take advantage of the conditions. The weather is perfect for scoring out there. The course was there to sort of be taken apart. I am happy to get in the clubhouse with that. The crowds were great, I had a lot of support and I need that as it gets you going."

Tiger Woods was happy with his score and the way he putted, but felt the lack of any wind was a concern. He said: "It was a good start. We had the good part of the draw. It was calm this morning and the guys were taking the course apart and there was a score to be had. We were talking about it this morning and it was awkward because there was no wind. You are used to banking it off something but there was nothing which made it awkward. The putter felt good. I made a lot of putts."

Paul Lawrie, who opened with a 69, said: "I made three-under but it could have been a bit less than that. I was up at 4.45am and it was lovely this morning. You are not going to get this course much easier."

Marcel Siem, playing in his first Open, said: "It was good today. The morning was beautiful. It was a great day and a special day for me and holing the birdie putt on 18 was even better."

John Daly, winner of the Open in 1995, carded a fine 66 and he said: "I am not too disappointed, but the putts I missed were a little disappointing. You are never secure with putts here, I hit some coming down the stretch that I thought I made but they broke hard and late. I left some out there but am pleased with the way I played. This is the seventh or eighth tournament in three-and-a-half years that I have been healthy to play and that makes a difference. I am starting to get some confidence in my golf game."

Andrew Coltart, who produced an excellent round of 66, said: "I am a little surprised by myself, but it was great fun out there. John [Daly] got the crowd going and I kind of jumped on the back of that and got some momentum."

Darren Clarke, who only scraped into the field last week, shot a 70 and he said: "The course is there for the taking, as is indicated by the scores. I gave myself some chances but left a few out there."

Mark O'Meara is in the veteran stage but carded an excellent 69. He said: "I was pleased. I played some nice shots. The wind is starting to pick up now so I got a good break getting out early. The course is in great shape. I still think I can play very well and knowing I am a former Open Champion helps."

Last year's runner up Tom Watson carded a 73 and was frustrated with his effort. He said: "I was a little bit sketchy with the way I played in practice and made bogeys at two, three and four. The lady out there did not have any clothes on and was there for the taking, you saw that by the scores. I tried to shoot the best score I can and disappointed myself and some of my fans. Maybe tomorrow will be better."

Padraig Harrington had a frustrating day after making bogey on the first and he said: "It made it tougher. I maybe got a bit greedy. I got myself in a position to make birdie so when you play a bad lob wedge, a bad chip and miss a putt it drains your confidence a little. Momentum went against me all day. I could not have shot a worse score. I hit the ball very solid but could not get the ball in close and could not make the putts. On a bad day I would have got away with it, but on a good day for scoring everyone was mobbing away and I was treading water."

US Open champion Graeme McDowell was very happy with his 71 considering the conditions he had to deal with. He said: "I'm gonna take it and run because I struggled on the greens today, I had a couple of careless three putts on the front nine. It was really a game of two halves today, and I definitely didn't blow myself out of the tournament - it could have been 75 if I hadn't have hung tough, so I'm pretty pleased with a 71."

Lee Westwood was also satisfied with his five-under par round. He said: "It gives you a few chances this golf course, I made a nice putt on eight, hit the ball really well and had a few chance coming in and I am happy with a 67. In the hardest of the conditions, I would have been pleased with that before I went out."

Sergio Garcia was a little dejected with his one-under-par 71 but was happy to reflect on a great summer of sport for Spain - which has seen Rafael Nadal win Wimbledon and the national football team crowned world champions. He said: "I've definitely enjoyed it more than my golf. Everything has been happening lately and we're all very proud about it because as we all know Spain is not going through the best times with unemployment and all those things and so it's good to see the people excited about some things."

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