The Open: Smith and Young off to stellar starts, Lowry recovers after early troubles

FLYING IT: USA's Cameron Young lines up a putt on the 3rd during day one of The Open at the Old Course, St Andrews. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire. publishing

There were cheers and boos and lots of birdies on a cool and gray morning that greeted the 150th Open Championship at the Old Course.

Cameron Young caught fire early in his Open debut, going out in 31 and reached 8-under after birdies at 11, 12 and 18 to shoot 8-under 64 – leaving him three clear of Cam Smith’s 5-under 67 early Thursday. Two-time Open champion Ernie Els was 5-under through the loop.