Stuart Grehan Silver Medal chances take tumble as British Amateur champ shoots 77 on day one

Elsewhere, it was an Open return to Birkdale which Padraig Harrington will want to forget 18 years after his major triumph on the same course

ROUGH START: Stuart Grehan plays from the rough on the 18th during an opening round 77 at Royal Birkdale. Pic: Jacob King/PA

British Amateur champion Stuart Grehan’s hopes of becoming the R&A’s first Silver Medal winner at The Open since 2023 took a tumble with a first-round 77 at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.

A month on from his triumph at nearby Royal Liverpool, the Irish international from Co. Louth was considered a strong contender to finish as the low amateur after 72 holes this weekend. Yet his race looks to be run after a deeply disappointing first 18 holes that featured a triple bogey at the par-four 13th.