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Na shoots first round 5-under 67, Dustin Johnson leads British Open

July 16, 2015

United States’ Jordan Spieth, left, and United States’ Dustin Johnson speak before playing from the 15th tee during the first round of the British Open Golf Championship at the Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland, Thursday, July 16, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By Brian Han

It looks as if the rivalry born out of the 2015 U.S. Open between Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson has crossed borders into Scotland for the British Open.

Johnson shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to break away from the pack by one stroke to hold the opening round lead of the PGA Tour’s third major of the season.

The 31-year old American showed St. Andrews’ The Old Course no mercy as he blasted his signature 300-plus yard drives to leave himself a wedge going into 10 of 14 par 4s.

He managed to turn in a blemish free scorecard that included five birdies and one eagle.

Spieth on the other hand made it known that he’s on the prowl for a calendar grand slam after coming off of a Masters and U.S. Open win.

After making birdies on five of the first seven holes, the 21-year-old phenom leveled off to finish with a 67.

Spieth is tied for eighth with five other golfers including Korean American Kevin Na who put together a solid bogey-free round.

Six players are tied for second at 6-under including Australia’s Jason Day who showed that his game has made a full turn around following a 2014 thumb injury that had been bothering him for quite a few months.

Day managed to make three birdies on each side.

Tiger Woods put up a disappointing effort shooting a 4-over 76 to fall close to the bottom of the pack.

South Korean An Byeong-hun shot a 2-over 74 and amateur Gunn Yang finished with a 1-over 73.