Going low is nothing new for Rory McIlroy, a 21-year-old from Northern Ireland.
He shot a 62 earlier this year on a course that was far tougher than St. Andrews on Thursday — Quail Hollow — for his first victory in America. He shot a 61 at Royal Portrush when he was 16. But his 9-under-par 63 in Thursday’s first round of the British Open was different.
“I think it probably is the most special just because it’s at St. Andrews,” the 21-year-old said. “And it’s the Open Championship.”
It became the 24th score of 63 in a major, last accomplished by Tiger Woods at the 2007 PGA. McIlroy’s round was merely the lowest on a day custom-built for red numbers.
With rain holding off until late and soft ground from Wednesday’s showers, golfers took dead aim. Seventy- three golfers broke par — the most for a British Open round since at least 1970. The previous high was 67, set four years ago at Royal Liverpool.
