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Slow start to defence for Todd Hamilton
Todd Hamilton made a faltering start to his British Open title defence with an indifferent round of 74 at St Andrews on Thursday.
The 39-year-old American, who pulled off a surprise victory at Troon last year, birdied three of the last four holes but still finished eight shots behind early leader Tiger Woods.
"Any golf course you need a bit of luck especially on this one," he told reporters. "I played not bad. I birdied three of the last four holes to finish two over. I struggled on the greens."
Hamilton said he had enjoyed the experience of defending the title.
"It was a good feeling," he said. "Unfortunately I had a very early tee time and there weren't many spectators out there. It's always nice when they announce your name as defending champion no matter what tournament it is."
Hamilton said he was trying to approach the event like any other.
"I don't take it any differently, I just look at it as another golf tournament," he said. "Obviously it's not but I think that is how you have to do it otherwise you just get very tense."
Hamilton was not surprised to see whose name was at the top of the leaderboard.
"It's an understatement to say that Tiger is a very good golfer," he said.
"I expect him to do well in every tournament but especially in the majors where it takes a guy that not only has a good golf game but a guy who understands how to play a difficult golf course."
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