Karlsson sets an early lead

Sweden’s Robert Karlsson set the early clubhouse lead on the first day of the 143rd Open Championship but with perfect scoring conditions at Royal Liverpool he was unlikely to hold it for long.

The 44-year-old was out in the first group at 6.25am and after a steady start, reaching the turn in one over, he birdied the 10th, 12th, 15th and 16th to reach three under, narrowly missing a birdie attempt at the last.