Golf’s fine lines on show at Open

Rory McIlroy turned in a magnificent round yesterday to lie three shots off the lead. But what if his drive at the 15th hole had not cannoned of a young boy’s head out of bounds, forcing him to incur a double bogey?

Before sounding too heartless by dwelling on the fate of McIlroy’s ball rather than the spectator’s health, the felled fan appears to be fine and now has a signed glove from the Northern Irish wunderkid, inscribed with the word sorry (see picture below).

But that glancing blow could end costing McIlroy the championship. It’s a coincidence that deepens the game’s fascination for the onlooker, but must surely only cause massive frustration for the player.

Still McIlroy is well in the hunt. As are a gaggle of former major champions: Paul Lawrie, Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, Graeme McDowell and the main man, Tiger Woods.

This is causing excitement, because, as I wrote yesterday, the last nine majors have seen first time winners. The last 15 have been won by different players. Is this unprecedented streak about to be broken by a returning champion?

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Not necessarily. The leader is Adam Scott, an Australian as celebrated for famous girlfriends such as Kate Hudson and Anna Ivanovic as his golf. Not that he’s a slouch on the course. He has 18 tour victories and would be a worthy winner.

But behind him are a bunch of true heavyweights. Not among them, sadly, is reigning champion Darren Clarke. He declared himself disgusted with his round of 76 which leaves him dead out of contention.

Lee Westwood also endured a grim day, carding a not much better 73. How a player of his brilliance hasn’t won a major leaves everyone puzzled. But after his opening round, it’s a mystery that remains. He is no doubt feeling far more sore than the fan who headed Rory’s ball out of bounds.