Catch up with the best post-round comments after day one of The Open at Royal Birkdale, with words from Beef Johnston, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
Beef is NOT shaving off his beard
‘I don’t want to get rid of it, but I need a haircut really bad and I need to get my beard trimmed, but only a little bit,’ – Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, who also gave his one-under par 69 a ‘seven out of 10’.
Tommy loves his home town reception
‘The crowd were absolutely brilliant. They did their part, I just couldn’t quite do mine. It’s absolutely fantastic playing in front of that many people. It’s brilliant. It’s a great experience and I loved it,’- Tommy Fleetwood, the local hero, attracted big galleries as he carded a six-over par 76.
Spieth keeps chewing his lucky gum
‘I was offered some, I was one under through two and I thought I better keep it in. It’s still in there now. It’s probably about time for a new piece.’ – co-leader Jordan Spieth was cross-examined about his gum-chewing after his round.
Thomas in a TIE – near the top of the leaderboard!
‘I didn’t come here to dress well, I came here to try to play some good golf. I don’t wear a tie very often, but I wore one every day in high school.’ – Justin Thomas on his outfit, he sits two back from the leaders after a very solid first round 67.
What goes on in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas
‘We had fun, that’s all I’m saying guys.’ – co-leader Brooks Koepka took a holiday after winning the US Open – but isn’t telling tales.
Poulter is checking out the weather forecast
‘Friday is going to be brutal. And today was – it was good to post a red number, considering what we’ve got coming,’ – Ian Poulter, after a difficult couple of years, loved the attention of being in contention and sits two back of the leaders.
Golf is better than football, says Manley
‘Some people say I should have gone professional. I was nowhere near good enough. Every time a game was cancelled, I’d be like, ‘great, I can go and play golf with my friends’. I loved golf. I didn’t really like football,’ – Stuart Manley was a promising footballer before focusing on golf. He has no regrets, finishing with an eagle and a birdie to sit three back from the leaders.
Credit: The Open
