SOUTHPORT: Matt Kuchar had a stunning front-nine to thank as he shot a five-under-par 65 to claim a share of the clubhouse lead in the first round of the British Open at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.
The giant 39-year-old American had five birdies in his first nine holes as he went out in just 29.
There were no more birdies on the way back but he didn't drop a shot all day and that allowed him to join Jordan Spieth and US Open champion Brooks Koepka in an all-American top of the leaderboard.
Behind them, England's Paul Casey -- who came third in St Andrews in 2010 -- had five birdies and one bogey in a 66 to sit at four-under.
His fellow countrymen Ian Poulter and Richard Bland are three under par along with Justin Thomas and the Canadian Austin Connelly.
Among those lurking at two-under are Japan's world number two Hideki Matsuyama, Sweden's Alex Noren, the world number nine, and twice former winner Ernie Els of South Africa.
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