I'm just glad to get the first round over. No one broke par, the first time that has happened in the first round of the British Open since Ian Woosnam led at even-par at Turnberry in 1986. The average score was more than 78, the highest round of any major this decade. A par on the 18th kept Duval from joining 57 other players who failed to break 80. No big name suffered more on the long, tight course than Spanish teen Sergio Garcia, who staggered in with an 18-over 89.
Today is forgotten.
It's part of the learning experience. Garcia wasn't alone in his misery. Defending champion Mark O'Meara had an 83, and five-time champion Tom Watson, who won here in 1975 when the Open was last played in Carnoustie, an 82. A large group at 80 included three-time champion Seve Ballesteros and 1998 U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen. Duval, Payne Stewart and Phil Mickelson were in a group at 8-over 79.