Saltman struggles in opening group

Scotland’s Lloyd Saltman had a nightmare start to the 142nd Open Championship after carding an eight on the first hole.

The 27-year-old, winner of the Silver Medal for leading amateur in 2005, was in the first group out at 6.32am but in front of a sparse crowd he carved two tee shots out of bounds to the right and into the hospitality area.

Saltman, who earned his spot through local qualifying, lost his first two shots off the tee but found his third before two-putting for a quadruple-bogey eight on the 447-yard par four.

The first hole played into the prevailing wind but with bright skies and patchy cloud, conditions were far from testing.

Veteran Australian Peter Senior, given the honour of starting the championship with the first tee shot, fared little better.

Having found the middle of the fairway with his drive he came up short left with his approach and four-putted for a six.

Playing partner Oliver Fisher parred the hole after getting up and down from the back of the green.