Elvis Smylie felt {the golfing} gods had been on his aspect because the younger Australian upstaged international celebrity Rory McIlroy to set the early tempo on the Open at Royal Melbourne.
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Smylie was the clubhouse chief at six-under 65 because the opening spherical bought underway on Thursday, three strokes away from the sphere.
Grand slam winner McIlroy had a rollercoaster spherical in tough circumstances on the windswept sandbelt course with the world No.2 ending at one-over with 5 birdies towards six bogeys.
Of the opposite event drawcards who had been met by hundreds out heading in the right direction for the early tee occasions, Australian weapons Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee had been each at two-under whereas Cameron Smith sat at one-under.
Smylie’s efficiency continued his beautiful trajectory over the previous 12 months after profitable the 2024 Australian PGA Championship.
Enjoying alongside former British Open champion Smith and former Masters champion, Englishman Danny Willett, on the composite course, Smylie opened with a bogey on the tenth however by no means seemed again.
He had three birdies in succession between the thirteenth and fifteenth after which added an additional 4 on his again 9.
Enjoying on the par-four first, which was his tenth, Smylie’s wayward shot over the inexperienced hit a spectator earlier than rolling again into place for him to make birdie.
“The wind was whipping off the left and I simply type of did not lower it up sufficient and I feel it hit his foot,” stated Smylie, who performs on the DP World Tour.
“I do not suppose it hit him laborious fortuitously, after which it ricocheted to about 5 foot and I used to be in a position to roll that in.
“So I feel when issues like that occur, you simply know that the golf gods are in your aspect for the day.”
It was a case of McIlroy-mania with the crowds following his group 10-deep with the Northern Irishman delivering for the plenty with a first-up birdie.
However McIlroy, who received the event in 2013, discovered the gusting northerly wind difficult.
Fellow Masters title-winner Scott’s gap of the day got here on the par-five 14th when he nailed an excellent strategy after which drained a 12-foot putt for eagle.
“It was an awesome day — I imply, enjoying with Rory and Min and preventing to get to the tenth tee this morning with the crowds was good enjoyable,” Scott stated.
“The course held up nicely even in among the most difficult wind I’ve most likely ever performed out right here.
“I am proud of the tip outcomes, I imply, it is easy to be vital, however possibly I should not be … it is very laborious to maintain it below management on the market.”
Main Australian girls’s participant Steph Kyriacou ensured she had a front-row view with the world No.40 volunteering to hold the scoreboard for the star trio.
Getting into the event on the again of seven missed cuts and with out a person event win for over two years, Smith discovered some much-needed kind.
The 2022 British Open champion had three birdies in 4 holes between 14 and 17, however was let down by three bogies on his again 9.
Different golfers among the many early front-runners included Englishman Eddie Pepperell and NSW golfer Corey Lamb, who had been each at three below.
