SANDWICH, England (AP) -- Thomas Bjorn has claimed the lead at the British Open with a 5-under 65 in the opening round.
Bjorn ripped off three straight birdies Thursday at Royal St. George's and went to the clubhouse with a two-stroke lead over Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Not bad, considering the Dane only got into the tournament Monday as an alternate, giving him a chance to make up for his meltdown the last time the Open was held at this course in southeastern England.
Back in 2003, Bjorn threw away a lead coming down the stretch by taking three shots to get out of a bunker at No. 16. He made 2 at that hole Thursday, the last of his three straight birdies.
Favorite Rory McIlroy got off to a sluggish start with bogeys on two of his first three holes. He was 1 over at the turn.
