Ivor Robson, the official starter at the Open since 1975, gets proceedings under way at 0630 sharp as Craig Parry tees off Defending champion Padraig Harrington, struggling with a wrist injury, warms up on the range before confirming he will start his first round Conditions are hardly ideal early on as former US Open champion Retief Goosen lines up his tee shot on the second Five-times Open champion Tom Watson and one of Britain's best hopes, Justin Rose, are among the early starters The poor conditions claim an early casualty as, after two double bogeys and a triple bogey, Sandy Lyle quits after 10 holes Lee Westwood is appropriately dressed and his mixed day is given a boost when he chips in from the edge of the sixth green It is not just the players who are struggling, the weather playing havoc with this marshall's umbrella Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and American Boo Weekley find something to smile about on the fourth tee A double bogey on the sixth threatens to derail Justin Rose's challenge but the world number nine is still in the hunt The form of David Duval has dipped dramatically since his 2001 Open win, but the American makes a great start to his Birkdale challenge England's Ian Poulter looks in great form in his relatively understated golf attire Korean KJ Choi is having a good day in the north west of England even if his caddie is not One hardy fan finds a way to keep himself content during the first round at Birkdale Padraig Harrington shakes off his wrist injury to finish his first round with a respectable score of 74 Two-time winner Greg Norman shows form of old on his way to a round of 70 And Norman is joined by wife Chris Evert who bravely supported her husband through the wet conditions Graeme McDowell also produces a great round, 69, to fly the flag for the Britons Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia finds time to smile during his round of 72, which sees him three shots off the lead Anthony Wall, in one of the last groups on the course, shot a round of 71 to finish two off the lead
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