Andy Sullivan gets early birdie as The Open tees off under glorious sunshine

Proceedings began at 6.35am on the Sandwich links Andy Sullivan was first to take advantage of favourable but breezy conditions

England’s Andy Sullivan tees off the first on day one of The Open (David Davies/PA)

A year later than scheduled, the 149th Open Championship got under way at Royal St George’s in glorious sunshine.

Covid-19 forced a postponement 12 months ago but when proceedings eventually began at 6.35am on the Sandwich links Andy Sullivan was first to take advantage of favourable but breezy conditions by holing a 25-foot birdie putt at the first hole.