OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP RELATED STORIES Rd 1: Battling Lam makes top 15 with fine 72 Rd 1: Choi crafts brave 72 in worst of weather Rd 1: Liang faces uphill task after opening 77 Rd 1: 17th hole birdie keeps Chia's chances alive Rd 1: Prayad struggles with wind and cold for 77 Rd 2: Choi takes lead with two closing birdies Rd 2: Liang makes first major cut with fighting 71 Rd 2: Lam makes cut and Singapore golf history Rd 2: Late bogies mean early exit for Prayad Rd 3: Choi joint 2nd as Norman storms 2 ahead Rd 3: Liang fires worthy 77 as scores soar Rd 3: Lam is blown away by Birkdale winds Rd 4: Choi heartbroken as Harrington defends Rd 4: Closing 74 gives Liang more major hopes Rd 4: Tough Open makes Lam eye Asian success Rd 4: Angelo Que means to learn and return Final scores The 2008 Open Championship home page Guide to the Royal Birkdale Course Four Australians qualify for The Open 67 Sentosa hopefuls aim for four Open berths Randhawa going for fourth Open outing Chia, Que and Ali lead Open berth battle Chia, Blyth, Lam and Que headed for Birkdale Dyson qualifies for Open - Rodgers, Brown and Jeev miss out Liang to make golfing history at Birkdale Prayad out to erase Masters misery at Birkdale Que looks to ride his winning wave Lam takes a second shot at Open Liang back in the swing and ready to shine Confident Prayad ready to face Birkdale breezes Lam aiming at top 25 - and having fun Chia out for Malaysian first at his second Open Que hoping to become a familiar face ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Paul Azinger names US wildcards Faldo chooses Casey and Poulter Havret gains wire to wire Gleneagles win Sluman clinches First Tee Open with closing 67 Fallout continues over LPGA "English" rule Poulter chooses high risk Ryder Cup strategy

Prayad struggles with wind and cold for 77

Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng was unbowed after a tough opening round at the British Open on Thursday.

The Asian Tour star opened his campaign with a seven-over-par 77 at a ruthless Royal Birkdale which bared its fangs with strong winds and lashing rains sending scores soaring in the year’s third major.

Prayad carded one birdie against four bogeys and two double bogeys in what is his second Open appearance and found consolation that he was only two shots off the cut mark after the tough first day.

“It was very hard out there with the cold winds blowing all afternoon,” said the Thai veteran, who completed his round at nearly 9pm local time.

“I couldn’t control the ball and made some bad mistakes for the two double bogeys on the fifth and 11th holes. However, I still will fight on as I’m quite close to the cut mark. I will keep trying hard.”

Prayad, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour, arrived at Royal Birkdale with his confidence intact as he had won twice in Japan over the past month. However, conditions in the opening round were simply atrocious and big name players like Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh all shot higher scores than Prayad.

“As I had a late tee time, I was watching the live broadcast at home and I was hoping that the rain would stop by the time I started. I got my wish but it was so windy and I failed to have any control, especially with my iron play.

“I wasn’t afraid of the cold or winds but it is so tough to control your iron play when you cannot judge the distances. I will try hard again tomorrow,” said Prayad.

July 17, 2008