Golf - British Open: Ryan Fox, Michael Hendry stay in contention at Birkdale

Ryan Fox from New Zealand. Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz

Steady first rounds from Michael Hendry and Ryan Fox ensured they stayed in contention on the opening day of the 146th Open golf championship at Royal Birkdale.

Hendry finished with a three-over-par 73 and Fox was a shot further back. Those cards are expected to place the New Zealanders within reach of tomorrow's projected cut, which will include the top 70 players and ties. That mark is currently hovering at one-over-par with several players still on the course.

Hendry and Fox played in the second half of the day and enjoyed the better of the weather on England's north-west coast. They met fine conditions and light breezes for the most part, compared to the early starters who endured overcast skies, stronger winds and the threat of rain.

Hendry overcame a back injury in the build-up to produce a miscellany of two birdies - at the par-four eight and 16th holes - five bogeys and 11 pars. In his maiden major, the 37-year-old went out in three-over par 37 and conceded no further shots to come home in 36.

Fox entered his second Open on the back of more than $1 million in earnings from three European Tour events in as many weeks. The 30-year-old shot two-over-par 36 for the first nine holes and returned in 38. His round featured a birdie - at the par five 17th - five bogeys and a dozen pars.

Hendry hit 36 per cent of fairways, and reached 39 per cent of greens in regulation compared to Fox's 14 and 39 per cent respectively.

Fox's partners Matt Kuchar and Richie Ramsay had more successful days.

Kuchar was in a three-way tie for the clubhouse lead at the point of writing, after shooting a five-under-par 65; Ramsey finished at two-under-par.

Martin Laird (two-under-par) and Brian Harman (even-par) were part of Hendry's group.

The weather is forecast to deteriorate in the second round. Hendry and Fox could again sample the best of it, given they're scheduled to start earlier than today at 6.30pm and 7.36pm (New Zealand time) respectively.

Patchy rain is expected to dog the weekend, but the wind is likely to wane.