Open Championship Round 1: McIlroy struggles to two-over par 72, links first-timer Suber charges to summit

While the Masters champion flattered to deceive, the 26-year-old from Tampa who had never played links golf before his arrival at Royal Birkdale four days earlier, went on to top the leaderboard on the first day at Southport

STRUGGLING: Masters champion Rory McIlroy reacts on the 15th, during a round which say him post a two over par 72. Pic: David Davies/PA

The Open Championship has long had a reputation for thrusting lesser lights onto one of golf’s greatest stages but even the oldest major will struggle to throw up a more unlikely first-round leader than American Jackson Suber.

Jackson who? While Rory McIlroy’s bid for a second Claret Jug turned into a battle with his putter which saw the Irishman’s body language veer between perplexed and agitated throughout an opening, two over par 72, Suber will start Friday’s second round on top of the 18-hole leaderboard following a five-under-par 65.