British Open: Kuchar posts career-best in major to share lead

News

Matt Kuchar of the United States plays off the 15th tee during the first round of the British Open Golf Championship, at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England Thursday, July 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Photo: Associated Press/Alastair Grant

SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Matt Kuchar matched the best front-nine score ever at Royal Birkdale. And even following that with nothing but pars on the back nine, the American still shot his best score in a major.

Kuchar saved par from behind the 18th green and shot 5-under 65 to share the lead with Jordan Spieth and U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka in the opening round of the British Open.

With three straight birdies and a 29, he tied the record that Ian Baker-Finch set in 1991 when he won the claret jug. Kuchar missed good birdie opportunities on the par-5 15th and 17th holes. Even so, it beats by one shot his previous best — a 66 in the second round at Oak Hill in the 2013 PGA Championship.

Recent Headlines

3 hours ago in Sports

NFL fines Jerry Jones $250,000 for obscene MetLife gesture he says was inadvertent

The NFL said Tuesday it has fined Jerry Jones $250,000 for an obscene gesture toward fans at MetLife Stadium that the Dallas owner said was "inadvertent" and intended for fans of the Cowboys, not the New York Jets.

3 hours ago in Sports

Alex Ovechkin is ready for his 21st season in Washington and his first after turning 40

When Alex Ovechkin was asked what he is most looking forward to on opening night this season, his answer was a subtle reminder that the 40-year-old version of the star forward is different than the player who entered the NHL two decades ago.

11 hours ago in Sports

Mistake-prone Chiefs blame themselves for crushing loss at Jaguars

Patrick Mahomes had an interception returned 99 yards for a touchdown and the Chiefs were flagged 13 times for 109 yards in a 31-28 loss to the Jaguars. Four of those penalties came in the final 1:45. The mounting mistakes proved to be the difference in a back-and-forth game, the fifth one of the NFL's Week 5 decided in the final 30 seconds.

1 day ago in Sports

Yankees would accomplish a rare feat if they come back down 0-2 in best-of-5 series vs. Blue Jays

The Bellinger babies are among the few Yankees fans not stressed about New York's 0-2 deficit to Toronto in their AL Division Series. Caiden is 3 years old and sister Cy is 2.

1 day ago in Sports

Drake Maye leads Patriots to 23-20 win over Bills, leaving NFL without an unbeaten team

Receiver Stefon Diggs is quite comfortable putting on a show in Buffalo. The big difference on Sunday night was doing so for the Bills' division rival New England Patriots.