The world's fourth-ranked Ludvig Åberg makes his British Open debut on the classic Swedish golf course in Scotland.
The start was tough, though – the 24-year-old is four strokes over par after the first round.
I didn't quite take advantage of the putting, he says.
It went better for Alex Norén, who with his –2 is among the top players.
It was at Royal Troon on the Scottish west coast that Henrik Stenson wrote Swedish golf history in the summer of 2016. Then, he became Sweden's first male major winner – and still the only one – when he took home the British Open title after a thrilling duel with Phil Mickelson in the final round.
Stenson – who now plays on the LIV tour – is also present this year and received warm applause when he was welcomed back to Troon.
On the green and on the tee, I got a little extra applause and warmth. It warmed up a degree or two, anyway, says Stenson, who didn't get the game together and finished the first round six over par, to Viaplay.
Icy putter
The big Swedish hope before the tournament was, however, Ludvig Åberg.
The Swedish world number four from Eslöv got a taste of his British Open debut with a birdie on the first hole, but then it went significantly worse. Åberg made bogey on two par 3 holes during the first nine holes, and during the second half of the round, his putter was icy.
It became four bogeys on seven holes (holes 10, 12, 13, and 16) before he finished with a birdie putt on hole 18. In total, it was 75 strokes, four over par.
Putting is the part of the game that's most up and down, you have to have some acceptance with that, says Åberg to Viaplay.
The weather was changing during the first day's play.
The external factors will always be part of a British Open. It rained and it blew, says Åberg.
He was satisfied with the game from tee to green and thought he had good approach shots.
It's just to continue doing the same things and continue giving ourselves chances and hopefully rolling in some putts, says the 24-year-old about the continuation.
Norén among the top players
Veteran Alex Norén has reached his best major placement in his career in the British Open – tied sixth in 2017 – and in this year's edition, the 42-year-old got a brilliant start.
Norén signed his scorecard for 69 strokes and with –2, he is very much among the top players. The Swede is in a tie for fourth place after one round.
I navigated myself around in a pretty comfortable way, and then the score comes to you, says Norén to Viaplay.
Other Swedish results: Jesper Svensson +1, Alexander Björk +2, Charlie Lindh +4, and Vincent Norrman +7.
Sebastian Söderberg was qualified but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Daniel Brown leads the tournament on six under par.
