[The Open] 'LIV Golf Opposition' McIlroy "6 Under Par from Day One, Full of Momentum"... What About Woods?

150th The Open Day 1: Young Leads with 8 Under Par Surprise, Korea's Kim Juhyung, Lee Kyunghun, and Kim Siwoo Perform Well at 3 Under Par, Woods Struggles with 6 Over Par

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the first day of the 150th Open. Scotland=Getty Images/Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "No LIV players winning."

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) surged to 6-under par on the first day of the 150th Open Championship (total prize money $14 million) held at the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland (par 72, 7,313 yards) early on the 15th (Korean time), quickly securing second place. Cameron Young (USA) took a surprising lead at 8-under par, while Cameron Smith (Australia) is tied for third place (5-under par, 67 strokes), and 'Masters Champion' Scottie Scheffler (USA) is tied for fifth place (4-under par, 68 strokes), all in pursuit.

McIlroy is notably a leading player supporting the PGA Tour against LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Before this tournament, he expressed a strong determination, saying, "I cannot let LIV players win." On this day, he recorded seven birdies and one bogey, adding confidence that there was "no special crisis." This is a chance for his third win of the season and his first major victory in eight years since the 2014 PGA Championship.

Young benefited significantly from the relatively calm winds during the 'morning group effect.' He is a '25-year-old star rookie' who entered the PGA Tour this year after two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour (second-tier) last year. He finished as runner-up three times last year: at the Sanderson Farms Championship included in the 2022 season in October, the Genesis Invitational in February, and the Wells Fargo Championship in May. It is remarkable that he made eight birdies on the links course. The second round has become even more important.

‘LIVpa’ Dustin Johnson is teeing off at the 13th hole on the first day of the 150th Open. Scotland=Getty images/Multibits

'LIV Golf's flagship' Dustin Johnson joined the tie for fifth place, and Xander Schauffele (both USA), who won the Genesis Scottish Open on the 11th as a 'practice test' for the Open, is regrouping at tied 13th place (3-under par, 69 strokes). Korea's Kim Joo-hyung (20), Lee Kyoung-hoon (31), and Kim Si-woo (27) have entered this group. Attention should be paid to Kim Joo-hyung, who placed third at the Genesis Scottish Open. Experts have ranked him among the 'top 10 contenders for the win.'

'Shriners Champion' Im Sung-jae (24) is tied for 35th place (1-under par, 71 strokes), and Kim Min-kyu (21, both CJ Logistics) is tied for 77th place (1-over par, 73 strokes). Past champions such as Jordan Spieth (USA, 1-under par in 2017), Francesco Molinari (Italy, 1-over par in 2018), and Shane Lowry (Ireland, even par in 2019) have yet to make an impact. Defending champion Collin Morikawa (USA) also exchanged four birdies for four bogeys, remaining at even par and standing still.

'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) fell to tied 146th place after a poor round of 6-over par, including three birdies, five bogeys, and two double bogeys. From the first hole (par 4), his tee shot landed in a divot, and his second shot went into a creek, resulting in a damaging '4-on-2-putt.' Despite efforts such as playing a secret round with McIlroy before the tournament, he is likely to miss the cut. He bowed his head, saying, "It was a tough day" and "my putting was not good."