Forsyth challenges leaders

Thomas Levet - leader

Scot Alistair Forsyth is making a late bid to topple Englishman Paul Casey and Frenchman Thomas Levet from the top of the Open Championship leaderboard on Day One at Royal Troon.

The 28-year-old from Glasgow is four under par after just nine holes – tied with Michael Campbell (67) and just one behind the leaders who shot 66s during the early morning calm.

The wind is starting to rise as the evening shadows lengthen but Forsyth was the only one making a challenge after taking bogey five at the first hole.

Forsyth then birdied the third, eagled the 610-yard sixth and birdied seven and eight.

England’s Gary Evans had set the championship alight just after 7am with an albatross two at the 560-yard par-5 fourth hole and went on to finish three under par – a popular mark shared by six others including amateur champion Stuart Wilson.

Double major champion VJ Singh is also on three under par alongside Marten Olander, both with couple of holes to play.

Among those on two under par are Darren Clarke, who went out of bounds at the 18th and Ernie Els who had a hole in one at the Postage Stamp 8th. Tiger Woods finished on 70, Phil mickelson on 73.