Jackson Suber grabs Open lead after a YouTube crash course

Jackson Suber arrived in Europe for the first time on Saturday, played his first true links round on Monday, then walked off Royal Birkdale on Thursday as the man to catch at The Open.

The 26-year-old from Tampa, Florida, shot a 5-under 65 in the first round of the 154th Open Championship in Southport, England, according to ESPN, taking a one-shot lead over Sungjae Im and Dan Brown. The course was playing dry, quick and unforgiving, which made Suber’s debut near the top of the board even friskier.

Suber told ESPN he prepared by watching YouTube videos of Royal Birkdale’s holes and working with his statistician and caddie, Greyson Porter. He said Thursday marked only his fifth day at the venue and that he had played 27 links holes before his opening round.

After an even-par front nine with two birdies and two bogeys, Suber got moving after the turn. ESPN reported that he birdied Nos. 10 and 11, bogeyed the 13th, then played the final five holes in 4 under.

The big finish included birdies at the 14th and 16th and an eagle at the par-5 17th. Suber said he hit a 323-yard drive into semi-rough before choking down on a 4-iron from 233 yards and finding the green.

Suber, a former Ole Miss player, has also been trending before his Open splash. ESPN reported he has three top-six finishes in his past six PGA Tour starts and has credited work with a mental coach, a former Ole Miss assistant, and changes to a Titleist golf ball and driver.

Golf statistician Justin Ray said Suber is the seventh player to begin an Open at Royal Birkdale with 65 or better. Craig Stadler’s 64 in 1983 remains the lower mark, according to Ray.

DeChambeau answers with a 67

Bryson DeChambeau, who missed the cut in the first three majors of the year, opened with a 3-under 67 and sat in a tie for fourth, according to ESPN. A bogey at the 18th kept him from getting even closer to Suber.

DeChambeau told an R&A staff member he was pleased with the start but noted there were three rounds left. ESPN reported he used a full set of 3D-printed irons in a major for the first time.

The numbers were rowdy. ESPN said DeChambeau gained 2.5 strokes on approach despite hitting few fairways and lost about 1.3 strokes putting. Ray reported it was the 14th time DeChambeau hit four or fewer fairways in a major round, the most by any player in the past 10 years, and that his 15 greens in regulation were his best in a major round with four or fewer fairways hit.

Scheffler cools after hot start

Scottie Scheffler, coming off a missed cut at the Scottish Open, raced out with birdies on four of his first six holes, according to ESPN Research. He hit every fairway and green available in that stretch and made 72 feet, 2 inches of putts.

The putter then quieted. Scheffler finished at 2-under 68, tied for 13th, after making 25 feet, 8 inches of putts over the final 12 holes. ESPN reported he took a bad break at the par-5 17th when an approach ended under a wire in deep rough, leading to a bogey.

Scheffler said he felt he could have taken more from the round, but added that similar ball-striking would leave him in good shape for the week.

McIlroy has early work to do

Rory McIlroy opened with a 2-over round that included four birdies and six bogeys, according to ESPN. His putting was the problem: he lost 2.72 strokes on the greens and ranked 148th in the 156-player field.

McIlroy told ESPN he struggled with the pace of the greens early and said parts of the putting surfaces were playing differently. He also ranked 144th in strokes gained around the green, at minus-1.25.

ESPN reported it was the sixth time McIlroy has opened The Open with an over-par score. He has missed the cut three times after doing so, while also tying for 25th in 2011 and fourth in 2017.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.