Defending Champion O'Meara left playing for pride after 83

Defending champion Mark O'Meara was left with just his pride to play for after slumping to an opening round of 83, 12 over par, at Carnoustie.

The 42-year-old couldn't even raise a smile after chipping in for a birdie three at the last and initially walked past reporters waiting to speak to him without saying a word.

"I've never seen a more difficult and demanding golf course," O'Meara said after a few minutes to compose himself.

"Your pride is hurt a bit when you shoot in the eighties. I mean, I'm a professional golfer. I'm disappointed that I shot 83 but I tried on every shot.

"I made three double bogeys and a triple so it was pretty much those four holes that hurt me most, but I drove the ball pretty bad and felt I got the score I deserved today.

"Tomorrow all I can do is try to play a bit better and restore some of my pride."

He will have taken little comfort from the fact that his round was not the worst by a defending champion in Open history, although the worst did come way back in 1876 by Willie Park who opened with a 94.

All may not be lost however, Bob Ferguson fired rounds of 83 and 88 in 1882 and still retained his title!