American Justin Thomas knows only too well the dangers that lurk on British links courses so he was understandably delighted to set the early clubhouse lead at the 152nd Open on Thursday.
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The 31-year-old overcame a mid-round wobble to card a three-under 68 in his opening round at Royal Troon as he seeks to make an impression at the major for the first time.
An opening 68. @JustinThomas34 sets the early pace at The 152nd Open. pic.twitter.com/iufkYLs0Q0
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2024
A year ago, former world No 1 Thomas was already checking flight times after an opening round 82 at Hoylake.
"Well, I would guess about 15 strokes better, 13 strokes? What did I shoot?," Thomas told reporters when asked how he felt compared to 12 months ago on the Merseyside coast.
"I couldn't even tell you what I was thinking or how it was then. I'm just worried about how I am now, and I'm very pleased with my game and know things are continuing to work in the right direction. I've just got to keep trying to play well."
In tricky conditions, Thomas was four-under after his first 10 holes after five birdies, including one at the treacherous Postage Stamp par-three eighth.
But a double bogey six at the 12th and a bogey at the 13th threatened to undermine all his good work and he needed a 17 foot par save at the 15th to steady down.
He then finished with birdies at his last two holes to sit pretty on top of the leaderboard.
Thomas, twice a major winner, has never posted a top-10 finish at the Open, but says he loves links golf and hopes that he might finally get some reward over the next few days.
"If I had to choose one style of golf or probably even one golf course the rest of my life to play, it would be a links course. It's fun," Thomas said.
Thomas has had five top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year and feels his game is in good shape for a strong Open run.
"I feel like everything has been turning the right way, and I've been working on the right things," he said.
"I know that I'm close the way it is, and I'm just going to keep playing and not play for results, just play for my game, and it'll take care of itself."