Former Arkansas golfer David Lingmerth had a front nine to remember at the Open Championship Thursday on the Old Course at St. Andrews. His back nine was one to forget.
Lingmerth was on fire on the opening side as he got to 7-under par after his first nine holes to vault to the top of the leaderboard. Then things went south on the back side as he was 4-over in his final eight holes to wrap up an opening round 3-under 69, which is four strokes off the lead. Lingmerth is tied for 18th after the first round.
Though the former Razorback got to 7-under, Dustin Johnson was able to wrap up his opening round at 7-under after firing a 65. Johnson, who had a chance to win the U.S. Open a few weeks ago until a three-putt on the 72nd hole of the tournament, had a bogey free round that included five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 No. 5.
Former major champion winners Retief Goosen and Zach Johnson are just a stroke back after the first round at 6-under par while Jason Day, Paul Lawrie, Robert Streb and Danny Willett are also tied for second.
John Daly, a former Razorback, also made a splash in the opening round as he got to 4-under par after 10 holes but made bogey on four of his final seven holes to wrap up a round of 1-under 71 and is six strokes off the lead.
