Robert MacIntyre is in contention at The Open Championship.
The former McNeese golf star shot a 3-under opening-round 67 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on Thursday. That was two strokes off the lead held by Jackson Suber, and one stroke behind Daniel Brown and Sungjae Im.
MacIntyre carded birdies on No. 1 and 2 and then made pars on the next five holes. He gave a stroke back with a bogey on No. 8. He would add birdies on No. 12 and 14.
MacIntyre’s best finish at The Open Championship was tied for sixth in 2019.
MacIntyre has plenty of company near the top of the leaderboard as eight others were also 3-under, including Francesco Molinari, Ryan Gerard, Alex Smalley, Cameron Young, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler shot a 2-under 68, and several other players wrapped up the opening round at 1-under, including Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Ben Griffin, Jon Rahm, and Shane Lowry.
There were notable major champions that struggled in the opening round on Thursday, including Matt Fitzpatrick (2-over), Rory McIlroy (2-over), Patrick Reed (2-over), Cameron Smith (3-over), Wyndham Clark (3-over), and Jordan Spieth (3-over).
