Golf: Qualifier McDowell leads, Woods two under

HOYLAKE, England - British qualifier Graeme McDowell fired a flawless six-under-par 66 to take a one-shot lead at the 135th British Open overnight.

The Northern Irishman reeled off three consecutive birdies from the ninth, where he holed out from a bunker, before overhauling early pacesetters Greg Owen and Anthony Wall of Britain and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

New Zealand's Michael Campbell is four behind the leader, tied at 33 on two-under, while David Smail is three-over after the first round.

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Ernie Els, the 2002 winner at Muirfield, was among a group of nine bunched on 68 while Masters champion Phil Mickelson finished a further stroke back, along with 12 others.

Holder Tiger Woods, playing only his third tournament since the death of his father on May 3, recovered from an opening hole bogey and was two under with three holes to play.

"That was pretty cool," a smiling McDowell told reporters after making the most of benign conditions at the north-west England seaside links.

"I was disappointed not to birdie the last but the 18th tee box has been giving me trouble this week.

"I drove the ball really well in general and didn't make any mistakes," added the 26-year-old, who booked his place at Hoylake in last month's European leg of international qualifying at Sunningdale.

Els, determined to shake off a loss of form following a knee injury last season, also wasted a chance to birdie the par-five last after being bunkered off the tee.

However, the three-times major winner rattled up six birdies and two bogeys to make his best Open start since shooting a 66 at St. Andrews in 2000.

"I didn't play the last hole very well but it's always nice to make a par-saving putt," the popular South African said.

"I'll settle for four under. I'm swinging well and today was a pretty good score for me.

"It's the first round of a major championship and you definitely don't want to shoot yourself out of it the first day."

American left-hander Mickelson, eager to banish memories of his final-hole meltdown in last month's US Open at Winged Foot, mixed four birdies with an eagle and three bogeys.

"I got off to a good start and was four under after 10 holes and playing well," said the world number two, who had been bidding for a third consecutive major title at Winged Foot before his late collapse.

"But I hit some poor shots coming in. I've got to execute better because the course is playing about as nice as it could.

"I putted well though and I'm glad to get by with three under."

Overnight rain took some of the sting out of a Royal Liverpool layout baked rock-hard after weeks of unrelenting sunshine, yielding a glut of birdies and several eagles.

Englishman Owen, who led the 2001 Open at Royal Lytham after 35 holes, was one of the first to take advantage.

He reeled off six birdies and a bogey to set the initial pace with a round that looked better the longer the day went on.

"I was very calm out there and played really well," he said after picking up shots on four of the last six holes.

"I think I've learned to stay patient and just trust what I do. If the golf gods are in my favour, then I'll be good enough to win."

The scheduled start of the 135th Open championship was put back by half an hour because of thunderstorms.

- REUTERS