Five Things you might have missed: Day One

We pick out five interesting things you might have missed on day one of the 147th Open Championship...

VEGAS TAKES HELICOPTER IN DESPERATE RUSH TO MAKE THE FIRST TEE.

As far as Open preparations go, this has to be the worst possible way to prepare for the year’s third Major Championship. So Jhonattan Vegas’ nightmare began last Thursday when the three-time PGA Tour winner realised his UK visa had expired – on the same day as he was supposed to be travelling to Scotland. The Venezuelan did eventually manage to sort out his visa issues, but his dilemma was only just getting started…

Vegas then had courier and weather issues to deal with, before finally managing to get things sorted and get himself on a flight to Glasgow, via Toronto, which touched down just two hours before his scheduled first round tee time of 10:31.

With time running out Vegas managed to jump into a helicopter and get to Carnoustie in time. The 33 year old even managed to get 20 minutes of practice in, but he wasn’t practising with his own clubs, as his treasured sticks hadn’t made it to Carnoustie with him in time. Cue more mass panic and Vegas’ caddie running around the practice ground putting together a mixed set of Mizuno, Titleist and TaylorMade clubs. So after all of that drama you would have to say a four over par first round 76 wasn’t that bad…

TIGER’S NECK TAPE HAS FANS WORRIED. VERY WORRIED.

Tiger Woods’ first Open appearance in three years had the world of golf very excited, but when the TV cameras first picked up Woods on the range this morning, excitement turned to worry with Woods’ neck clearly tapped up. When we say tapped up, the American had some KT tape in two spots on his neck.

Although this sight caused many of the 14-time Major champions fans to go into a social media meltdown, it turned out there was nothing to worry about, with reports soon confirming that Woods simply woke up with a stiff neck and the tape helped loosen him up. Rumours of a bad pillow being the cause of the neck issues are as of yet unconfirmed…

KIRADECH HOLES OUT FROM WAY BACK.

Kiradech has enjoyed another impressive season in 2018, so came to Carnoustie this week high on confidence and with aspirations of lifting the Claret Jug come Sunday. However, playing alongside defending champion Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose, Kiradech reached the 17th hole at four over par and needing to get up-and-down from 102 yards to save par, but Kiradech does things his own way. Straight in on the second bounce, the four time European Tour winner’s muted birdie celebrations highlighted what a tough day it was for Aphibarnrat. Still, what a shot!

RORY’S ‘LOOKALIKE’, WHO DOESN’T REALLY LOOK ANYTHING LIKE RORY.

Here’s a tip – if you’re going to walk around a golf tournament which Rory McIlroy is competing in with a tee shirt on that reads ‘I’m not Rory McIlroy’, you had better make 100 per cent sure that you basically look like the four time Major Champion’s identical twin, which in our opinion the guy below does not. It’s not a bad effort, but surely if you’re going to go for the Rors look you need to at least be decked out in Nike gear…

PIETERS AND KOEPKA DRIVE THE 393 FIRST GREEN.

Yep, you did read that title correctly, but just in case it still hasn’t sunk in, Thomas Pieters and Brooks Keopka drove the 393 yard first hole. It’s obvious to anyone who has seen anything of the 147th Open how dry the course is, and how much run all of the players have been getting on their shots. But still, you have to have something about you to drive the opening par four in one, which is why nobody was surprised to see Pieters and Koepka, two of the biggest hitters in world golf, being the two players to do so on day one. Although neither player made eagle, the pair both were able to tap-in for well-deserved birdies.