The Open 2021 news: Louis Oosthuizen leads with blistering 64, Jordan Spieth in mix, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm off pace

Updated 15/07/2021 at 21:15 GMT

2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen enjoyed a bogey-free round of 64 to lead the field by one stroke at Royal St George's. 2017 winner Jordan Spieth is one off top spot after carding a five-under 65 on Thursday with England's Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose hitting 67s. Rory McIlroy made birdie at the 18th hole to finish on level par with US Open champion Jon Rahm signing for a disappointing 71.

Louis Oosthuizen set the pace at Royal St Georges after the first round.

Image credit: Eurosport

Louis Oosthuizen recaptured his Open class of 2010 to establish the lead after the first round at Royal St George's in Kent with a bewitching round of 64.

The 38-year-old South African enjoyed three birdies on the front nine and three on the back in an impeccable display of ball striking around Sandwich before getting up and down from 70 yards or so on the 18th hole to ensure he did not drop any shots from an unblemished Thursday.

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Watched by a crowd of 32,000 under UK government health guidelines, he is one clear of 2017 winner Jordan Spieth, who enjoyed a 65 alongside fellow American Brian Harmon in warm and windy conditions in Kent.

The 149th Open Championship is the final major of the year with Oosthuizen bidding to add to his victory at St Andrews 11 years ago when he obliterated the field courtesy of a 16-under par total over 72 holes, seven clear of runner-up Lee Westwood.

“I didn't make many mistakes,” he said. “When I had good opportunities for birdie, I made the putts. So just a very good, solid round.

"On this course it's all about hitting the fairway. You're not going to be able to do much from the rough here, or the fairway bunkers.

Driving the ball good is key. If you aren't comfortable with a driver around this course, then don't be scared laying further back, as long as you can get in the fairway.

Oosthuizen has himself finished runner-up in six majors since his maiden Open victory including a share of second place behind Phil Mickelson at the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in May.

Mickelson suffered the ignominy of carding an 80, the joint highest score of the day alongside Deyen Lawson of Australia included a double bogey at the last to share 155th place.

Rory McIlroy fought back majestically from falling to plus two at the 10th with four birdies in his round, including a three on the 18th hole, enough to see him sign for a level par 70.

Pre-tournament favourite Jon Rahm – chasing a US Open and British Open double – also made birdie on the 18th hole to finish on 71, seven behind playing partner Oosthuizen, with defending champion Shane Lowry matching Rahm on plus one.

Spieth admits the challenge of links golf brings the best out of him after his rousing success at Royal Birkdale four years ago when he claimed the Claret Jug on 12 under, three clear of Ryder Cup colleague Matt Kuchar.

“It brings a lot of the feel aspect into the game,” said Spieth. “I shorten swings up over here, and hit more punch shots, and stuff that I probably should be doing at home. You get less swing-focused and more shot-focused over here because the second you take your brain off the shot you’re hitting, you may not find your ball.

“Instead of just a driving-range shot in Palm Springs, there’s always some shot you have to play that gives you a little bit of an advantage. Certain club selections, based on if you hit a fade or a draw, they go 15 or 20 yards different distances.

"To sum that up, there’s just a lot of external factors over here, and I think that external is where I need to be living.”