Jacobson shoots only bogey free round

Swede Fredrik Jacobson achieved the unique feat of a bogey-free card in the Open first round on Thursday as strengthening winds sent the scores spiralling.

The 28-year-old, twice a winner on the 2003 European Tour, sandwiched a string of pars around a solitary birdie at the 497-yard fourth hole to complete a one-under 70.

Jacobson was one of just five players to end the day below par at Royal St George's, reward he said for avoiding all the fairway bunkers and good scrambling around the greens.

"I didn't quite expect that, especially as the wind picked up all the way around the course and you expect the ball to end up in one really poor position," said the Monaco-based Swede, who tied for fifth at last month's U.S. Open.

"I got away without going in the fairway bunkers and scrambled round the greens very well.

"It's virtually impossible to stop the ball on some of the greens and you need an up and down for your par. I did very well on that.

"To make only one birdie is not that bad. Maybe I could have rolled a few more in but it's very difficult to get close to the pins.

"If you have 20-footers in this kind of wind and as slippery as the greens are, I don't expect to make a lot pf putts here."

The stiff breezes of the morning freshened to speeds of up to 55 kph in the afternoon, providing a challenge for the most experienced wind players in the field.

Britain's Paul Lawrie, who won the 1999 British Open in extreme conditions at Carnoustie, faded to a 10-over 81.

"It was mega-tough today," said the 34-year-old Scot. "Under par would be a hell of a score.

"You're having to rely on good bounces as well as good play and it's very tough.

"But the course is fantastic. That's what links golf is all about but I just didn't play well enough and didn't putt well enough today."

Ian Woosnam, the 1991 U.S. Masters champion, fared better with an opening 73, but described the conditions at Royal St George's as "very tough".

"It's difficult to keep the ball under control, to keep it on the fairway, because you know, if you go into the rough, you're going to make bogeys all the time," he said.

"It's a typical windy day on a sea links golf course and a lot of the guys haven't played in a wind like that.

"The modern game is up in the air and in these conditions, you have to keep the ball down, under control."

Former world number two Phil Mickelson was happy enough after returning a three-over-par 74.

"It was a battle throughout the day and a one-putt was not easy as the ball was moving on the green," said the 33-year-old American.

"The front nine was playing a lot easier than the backside where all the holes seemed to be back into the wind.

"I saw a lot of guys shoot themselves out of it so I am very pleased to get in at three over."

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