Patience pays off for Jason Day at Royal BirkdaleJason Day went out in even-par 34 on Royal Birkdale's front nine. He came home in 1-under-par 35 to shoot 69 in Round 1 of the 146th Open. Andy Buchanan/AFP PhotoFacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerEmailcomment2:30 PM ETMatt CooperSpecial to ESPN.com CloseMatt Cooper is a golf writer from the United Kingdom who has worked for SkySports.com and SportingLife.com. He is a writer for Golf365.com and a number of print magazines.FacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmailprintcommentSOUTHPORT, England — The grinding is beginning to pay dividends for Jason Day. Prior to his first round at the 146th Open Championship, the 29-year-old insisted that if he maintained discipline and patience, the results would unfold at their own pace.
And around the turn on Thursday, that is just what happened.
“You know what? Midway through my round I just felt great,” he said, after posting an opening lap of 1-under-par 69, four shot back of the lead share..

Peacock Poulter struts his way through a resurgent summerIan Poulter was back to his very best at Royal Birkdale on Thursday, with even playing partner Russell Knox commending his putting. Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesFacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerEmailcomment12:00 PM ETJason SobelESPN Senior Writer Close Covered golf since 2004
Former writer at Golf Channel
Winner of four Emmys while at ESPNFacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmailprintcommentSOUTHPORT, England — Ian Poulter struts. That's the only way to explain his demeanor when he's playing well. He struts after knocking precise iron shots toward the hole, struts after making birdie putts from all angles. He is golf's version of a peacock with its tail feathers up, proudly boasting his way around the course.
And there he was strutting again on Thursday. He strutted after each of his four birdies, then strutted some more after completing a 3-under 67 in the first round of the 146th Open Championship — wheth..

Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar shoot 5-underFacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerEmailcomment6:29 PM ETAssociated Press FacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmailprintcommentSOUTHPORT, England — The wind off the Irish Sea pushed away the rain clouds and bathed Royal Birkdale in sunshine, Stars and Stripes.
The Open Championship began Thursday with an All-American flavor.
Jordan Spieth, chomping away on gum as he watched one putt after another pour into the center of the cup, worked some bunker magic of his own late in the round to keep his card filled only with birdies and pars for a 5-under 65.
Editor's PicksRound 1 Open grades — Top 10 turned it aroundThe world's top 10 fared miserably at the U.S. Open with six missing the cut. After 18 holes at Royal Birkdale, it's a different story. So did their grades go up at The Open?
W2W4: Who has most work to do in Round 2?Who are the players who need to keep their wits about them on Friday just to make it to Satur..