Unheralded American takes British Open 1st-round lead

Southport, United Kingdom — Unheralded American Jackson Suber leads after the first round of the British Open at five under par, with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler among a host of major champions in the chasing pack.

Rory McIlroy’s hopes of ending a 12-year wait to win his home major are hanging by a thread after a two- over par 72.

Suber, ranked 115th in the world, had a first ever round at the British Open to remember.

After making the turn at level par, he picked up five shots in the next eight holes, topped off by an eagle on the 17th to give him a one-shot lead from England’s Daniel Brown and South Korean Im Sung-jae.

The 26-year-old is playing in just his third major and had never experienced European golf until his first practice round on Monday.

“Monday was my first round of links golf, so I’ve played 27 holes before I played the first round today. I’ve never been to Europe,” said Suber.