ZACH JOHNSON SETS OPEN PACE WITH A FIVE-UNDER 66

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

Former Masters Tournament champion Zach Johnson began the 142nd Open Championship in the same imperious style as he did the 141st.
The American Ryder Cup player carded a five under 66 to lead by one from Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello and 1998 champion Mark O'Meara, with 1996 winner Tom Lehman a shot behind alongside fellow Americans Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker and Spain's Miguel Angel Jiménez.
The 37 year old Johnson, who opened with a 65 at Lytham 12 months ago and eventually finished ninth, stormed to the turn in 31, thanks to an eagle and three birdies and reached six under before his only bogey of the day on the 14th.
Johnson, beaten in a five-hole play-off by 19 year old Jordan Spieth at the John Deere Classic on Sunday, said: "I think this game demands resilience. If anything, what I've embraced from last week is the fact that I'm playing great and I can put that into play, and I'm certainly somewhat confident in what I'm doing, confident in my routines."
O’Meara, whose Open victory came at Royal Birkdale, will return to the venue next week to contest the Senior Open, when he hopes to be going for a unique double.
He said: "Do I think I can (win)? When I play like I did today, yeah, I think I can.
"I didn't feel like I was 56 years old out there, I felt like I was 32.
"I know I haven't won a lot in the last 10, 11 years of my career, but I've been close a lot.
"And I know that sometimes if you just keep getting close, sooner or later they're going to open the door."
Defending champion Ernie Els, also the winner the last time The Open was staged at Muirfield in 2002, carded a 74.
Playing partner and US Open champion Justin Rose, who returned a 75, said: "I have done my best to come here and be as prepared as possible, it was just a round that did not go my way. I am happy to have got it out of the way and I can get on with tomorrow and the rest of the year."
Shiv Kapur was the only late starter threatening to overhaul the leaders, the Indian chipping in twice to card six birdies in his first seven holes, while Tiger Woods was battling back after a poor start.
The World Number One, without a Major win since 2008, hooked his tee shot on the first into thick rough and played a provisional ball before his original was found.
After a penalty drop and third shot into a greenside bunker he escaped with a bogey five and was still one over at the turn, before birdies at the tenth and 11th took him into red figures.